A quick shout-out to the Webster Recreation Center and this group of crazy people who got me out of bed at 5 a.m. this morning for a rather intense workout.
It was called the “Hell’s Mile,” and in short, it involved doing laps of the gymnasium, performing different exercises with each lap, like lunges, skipping, bear crawls and the like. At each corner, you had to do a DIFFERENT element, like jumping jacks, push-ups and sit ups. (Perhaps you understand why it’s called “Hell’s Mile.”)
Apparently the group has been doing this pre-Thanksgiving workout for 15 years now, and they have the T-shirts to prove it. When fitness instructor Jim Wallis told us about it last week during one of our classes, one of my workout buddies and I kind of looked at each other and said, “I’ll do it if you do it.”
And yes, he was there, too.
We all went at our own pace and it took me more than an hour to complete the whole circuit, well behind most of the other participants. It wasn’t pretty, but I got it done, and now I feel like I can eat turkey with abandon tomorrow.
Maybe next year I’ll order a t-shirt.
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Sometimes when I start working on a blog post, by the time I’ve dotted the last I and crossed the last T, the whole focus has shifted from where it began. This is one of those blogs.
It began when I heard that National Honor Society (NHS) students from Webster Thomas High School have been helping out at the community meals hosted by four local churches through the Churches Offering Meals for Everyone (COME) initiative. This effort — a collaboration among The Gathering Place at UCC, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, St. Rita’s and Webster Methodist Church — provided free meals, served restaurant-style, to anyone who wants to attend. Each church serves a meal once a month, and no one is turned away. Especially now, when so many people are struggling more than ever, it’s a vital service for our community.
For two years now, Webster Thomas NHS students have been helping out at these dinners, sometimes with set-up and clean-up, other times serving, pretty much doing whatever needs to be done. I thought, this is a great little feature to remind everyone how our young people are helping to make this world a better place.
And that was going to pretty much be the end of the blog. But then I headed over to Thomas and met two of these young people, club president Ayleen Dehghani and vice president Kate Mitchell. It was then I realized there was much more to this story.
I learned that the students’ work with the church dinners is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how involved they are with their school and our community as a whole. Thomas NHS students are required to fulfill at least 15 hours of service every school year (20 hours if you’re a senior). The hours need to be distributed throughout the year, and split among at least three different organizations.
There are many chances within the school itself to fulfill at least some of those hours. Most recently, for example, the NHS students helped at a Red Cross blood drive held at Thomas, setting up, cleaning up, and donating blood themselves. Outside of school, the list of organizations the club has worked with is long. In Webster alone, it includes the Webster Comfort Care Home, Challenger Miracle Field, Baywinde, Maplewood Nursing Home, the Gathering Place, Bella’s Bumbas and the Webster Public Library. But it stretches well beyond Webster as well: TogetherNow, Cross Creek Church, the Margaret Home, Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester Refugee Resettlement, the Ronald McDonald House and many, many more.
Kate Mitchell, staff advisor Erika Stuff and Ayleen Dehghani
National Honor Society is just one of several service-oriented clubs at Webster Thomas, and it’s common for students to be involved in more than one. They include the CARE Club, Key Club, Rotary Interact and Titan Service Scholars — every one of them community-focused and committed to making our world a better place.
What particularly impressed me about the young ladies I met is how they sincerely believed that serving our community is an opportunity, not just something you do to complete service hours or because it will look good on your resume.
“It’s not a burden,” Kate said. “Connecting with people in our community is so important, especially being able to connect with people of different ages.” At the churches in particular, she added, the community members who attend are mostly older, “so the churches appreciate when we send the high schoolers. The older people get to connect with the younger generation.”
Ayleen noted that the service opportunities benefit students in several ways.
“It helps you in your future,” she said. “(People) get to know you and who you are as a person, which could help you later on. Also you feel way better about yourself knowing that you spent your time doing good deeds for other people.”
Webster Thomas English teacher Erika Stuff, who advises the club, agreed.
If you put students in meaningful authentic needs-based service, it’s rare if ever that a student will leave saying that was a waste of my time. They always walk away knowing more about their community or the world around them and more about themselves. That’s why we always push to have diversity in service and have them think about what are the critical issues and needs that we’re meeting. And trying to get away from just fulfilling hours that aren’t as meaningful.
A lot of them just put in the minimum time, but a lot of students go above and beyond.
And that’s just part of the story. Webster Schroeder High School and our middle schools are also home to thriving service clubs. These clubs bring together a core group of passionate Webster young people dedicated to improving our world. Our sincere thanks go out to them.
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If you attend Geva Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol this holiday season, you might just recognize one of the young cast members.
Once again this year, two young Webster actors — Reid Antal, an 8th grade student at Willink Middle School, and Adriana Ruya Venable, a 6th grader at Spry Middle School — have been cast as young Tim Cratchit in Geva’s A Christmas Carol (since there are so many shows, all the children’s roles are double cast).
Based on the classic by Charles Dickens, this adaptation begins with a wish made by young Tim Cratchit. Over the course of one night, notorious grump Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts, but will their intervention prompt him to change his “humbug” ways? Filled with humor, heart, hope – and a little bit of horror – A Christmas Carol reminds us that it is never too late to have a change of heart.
Geva’s A Christmas Carol runs from Nov. 22 through Dec. 28 on the Wilson Stage, 75 Woodbury Blvd., Rochester. Tickets can be purchased online here, by calling 585-232-GEVA (4382), or by stopping by the box office in person.
Geva will also present a free performance of A Christmas Carol called “Home for the Holidays” on December 26 at 7 p.m. for Blue Star Families, who are active-duty service men and women, veterans, and their families.
ReidAdriana
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The 54th annual Webster Turkey Trot is approaching fast, but there’s still time to register.
The Turkey Trot, organized by Fleet Feet, is an annual Thanksgiving Day race which features a 2.5-mile fun run and a 4.4-mile race along roads and grassy fields in Webster Park. The race began in 1972, started by Webster cross country coach and English teacher Jim May as a practice run for his cross country team. It has since become a very large (typically around 4,000 runners), long-standing tradition in the Webster community.
The 4.4-mile 2.5 mile routes both start at the corner of Holt and Lake roads. Even if you’re not running the race, watch for traffic restrictions beginning at 8:30 a.m., impacting Lake Rd., Whiting Rd. and Holt Rd. Registration is open through Wednesday Nov. 26 at 5:45 p.m., and all new registrants will receive a cool tote bag. Plus, all participants receive a finisher medal.
Parking for racers can be a challenge, especially when we’re talking about 4,000 runners, but there will be shuttle buses running from Willink Middle School and Thomas High School from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Lots more information about the race, including how to register, the race routes, when and where to pick up your packet, parking information, and more can be found at the Webster Turkey Trot website.
Fleet Feet will also be running a donation drive for Webster Hope during packet pick-up. This is a great opportunity to show your support for our community and thankfulness for all of the blessings we enjoy — enough food on the table, a warm place to live, good health. To thank you for your donation, you’ll receive a Mystery Buck valued at 10 to 50% off any full-priced item in store at Fleet Feet.
Hope’s November wish list includes (these are the most critical needs, but all non-perishable foods are welcome):
Baking items- flour, sugar, cake and brownie mixes
Cooking oil
Canned peas
Canned pineapple
Canned beets
Canned potatoes
Pasta sauce
Pasta, whole wheat is NOT popular
Hygiene Products
Dish soap
Laundry soap
Any toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream, lotion, etc.
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Making Spirits Bright is an awesome organization here in Webster which for the last 12 years has been working quietly under the radar, doing amazing things for families in need during the holidays — and this year, their efforts are needed more than ever.
The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance. Then they collect wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items. And unlike many other programs, Making Spirits Bright provides far more than just gifts. They also assist with winter gear, household necessities, personal care items, cleaning supplies and various other items to lessen a family’s burden. PLUS, they provide for all members living in each household, no matter their age. This includes kids, parents, guardians, grandparents, and sometimes even pets. This year, Making Spirits Bright expects to surpass 600 families helped.
The call has gone out for donations to support this year’s effort, and there are several ways you can help:
Sign up as a group, organization, business or family to help out. (Click here for current community list)
Adopt an entire family (choose the family size you’re comfortable with, two-person and up)
Organize a collection drive for some of the most needed items, like toiletries, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, gift wrap, gift boxes and gift cards.
Make a monetary donation, which are used to purchase items on the list which were not adopted. Any donations, large or small, is appreciated. Click here for more information.
Help wrap gifts. Click here to see this year’s wrapping schedule and stop by to lend a hand!
Donations should be new and unwrapped (unless otherwise noted), and all items need to be dropped off at the MSB headquarters — located in Baytowne Plaza — no later than Saturday, December 6.Click here for additional drop-off locations and hours.
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Community organizations depend on dedicated volunteers to carry out their mission. But in larger groups with many moving parts, volunteers often focus on their own projects and may never cross paths with others working in different areas.
The Friends of the Webster Public Library (FWPL) recognize that, so they make sure that at least twice a year they hold special events to bring all of their volunteers together for an hour of friendship, socialization, laughter and lots and lots of good food.
Every May this meeting/social event takes the form of a potluck lunch, with a dozen or more delectable dishes lined up along tables in the library’s community room. Every November, it’s a dessert reception; last Saturday, those tables were filled with cheesecakes, shortbreads, cookies, chocolate candies, even a cherry trifle. The event drew almost 50 volunteers from across the FWPL organization, men and women who volunteer at the book sales, in the lobby book store, manage publicity, serve on the board and more. And each one went home with a little gift to say thank you for their time and commitment.
Winanne MessingEileen Brookins
Two of those volunteers received special recognition: Eileen Brookins and Winanne Messing. For many years, Winanne and Eileen were head of publicity for book sales and various other fundraisers, and they both served on the Friends’ Board of Directors before stepping down two years ago. Appropriately, each received a book inscribed with an individualized dedication recognizing their service. Once Winanne and Eileen have had a chance to read them, the books will become part of the library’s permanent collection.
And talking about the Book Sale …
These social events double as FWPL meetings, and at this last gathering, some pretty amazing details about this year’s book sales were reported.
The final figure from the most recent Fall Book Sale was an incredible $8,191.98 (including a portion of the proceeds from 70 Kittelberger flower cards sold during the sale). It’s been several years since the Friends topped the $8,000 mark, so that is a great accomplishment. The vintage book sales earned almost $3,200 on top of that this year as well. Those impressive figures can be attributed to all the donors, volunteers, shoppers and the incredible support of the Webster Community as a whole.
And did you know? Whatever books the Friends don’t sell are donated to Savers. They come down to the library, box them up and send them all over the country to other Savers locations to benefit other communities.
The Friends of the Webster Public Library are library supporters who are committed to strengthening the library and helping it provide the best service possible to the community. All of the funds they raise go directly to promote and support the Webster Public Library, its services, facilities, programs and needs. Click here to find out more about the organization and how you can become a member.
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Let’s start today’s mailbag with this quick note about something happening REALLY SOON that will interest those who want to get some Christmas shopping done.
Maplewood Nursing Home will be hosting their annual Holiday Bazaar this Thursday and Friday Nov. 20 and 21.
It will feature nine vendors offering one-of-a-kind items including home goods, crafts, jewelry, knitwear, wind chimes, and much more. Plus there will be a bake sale, two raffles and an ornament donation tree. All proceeds will benefit Lap Robes for Veterans, a charity near and dear to The Maplewood; the organization donates homemade lap robes to all military veterans at the facility.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The Maplewood is located at 100 Daniel Drive in the Village of Webster. There’s plenty of free parking. This is a community event and all are welcome.
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The Women’s Club of Webster has announced details for their 31st annual Holiday Cookie Sale, scheduled this year for Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd. Cost for cookies is $10 per pound (cash only!). They usually sell out very quickly, so get there early.
Proceeds from the sale, which is eagerly awaited by area cookie lovers, will benefit the club’s scholarship funds as well as many other programs in the Webster community.
AND while we’re talking about the Women’s Club, you’ll want to make plans now to attend the club’s December meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18 at the Penfield Country Club.
Santa will be the special guest at the luncheon, so this is your chance to ask him all those questions you’ve ever wondered about, like what his favorite cookies are and who pulls his beard the most. Mrs. Claus will also be with him.
The meeting will be held at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd. It begins with social time at 11:30 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30. Cost is $25 and includes lunch, either Chicken French, a Reuben or Italian Melt sandwich. All lunches also come with fresh fruit and beverages. Send your check made out to WCW with your lunch choice by Dec. 11 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Rd, Ontario, NY 14519. If you think your check might be late, call Carolyn at 585-265-1303 to hold your place.
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From the Webster CSD:
Families with children residing in their household who are ages birth to 5 years old are asked to help Webster CSD forecast enrollment by completing the brief Young Children Census.
This census is a young family’s first connection with the district and helps the school district keep in touch with the family as their child approaches school age. When families share their email address with Webster CSD through the census, it enables the district to notify those families when their children are eligible for prekindergarten and kindergarten registration.
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Webster Comfort Care Home’s2025 Holiday Raffle is now open, your chance to win some fabulous prizes. (Details about what they are can be found on the WCCH website.) Tickets are one for $25, three for $60 and six for $100 (that’s a bargain!). You can click here to purchase them online. The raffle will be live through Thursday Dec. 18, when the winners will be chosen.
Not only is this a great opportunity to win a pretty awesome Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one, but you can feel good that you’ve supported a really awesome organization at the same time.
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Here’s another reminder that Country Gardeners of Webster will hold their annual Garden Club Holiday Sale on Saturday December 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. This huge sale features fresh wreaths, arrangements, poinsettias, centerpieces and gifts that are created by hand by the club members. This is always a very popular event, so you want to get there early. Admission is free.
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The Webster high schools’ drama season officially begins later this week, when Webster Thomas High School presents Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.
The play follows young lovers Claudio and Hero, whose wedding plans are sabotaged by the villainous Don John, who tricks Claudio into believing Hero is unfaithful. Claudio publicly shames and rejects Hero, leading her to fake her death from grief. Meanwhile, Benedick and Beatrice, a witty pair of antagonists known for their “merry war,” proclaim their disdain for love and marriage. Their friends conspire to trick the cynical pair into believing the other is secretly in love with them. Amidst the chaos, the local constabulary, led by the hilariously inept Dogberry, attempts to uncover the truth.
Like I said, classic Shakespeare.
Here are some photos I took at one of the dress rehearsals:
The cast is led by Dominick Mangano as Claudio, Rylie Biroscak as Hero, Robert LoFaso III as Don John, Matteo Serventi as Benedick, Mia Fellows as Beatrice and Jack Dayton as Dogberry.
Rounding out the cast are
Jeremiah Fischer as Don Pedro
Lucas McCarthy as Leonato
Natasha Mosher as Margaret
Colin Ritchie as Borachio
Taisia Badulescu as Conrad
Poppy Short as Verges
Connor Hengelsberg as Antonio
Ben Sweeney as Balthasar
Ella Vernacotola as Ursula
Abigail McNett as Messenger
Quin Rizzo as Friar
Adriana Zodarecky as George Seacoal
Jeremiah Lauture as Hugh Oatcake, and
Madeline Heminway, Noah Skavienski, and Mya Almada Ferris as musicians and attendants.
The cast members are supported by crew members Kalleigh Denton, Sienna Duga, Haydin Fenner, Olivia Marinaccio, Anastasia Petukhove, Savannah Riggs, Kaelyn Snyder, Amelia Thompson, Adeline Whilden, Emelia van Wichen and stage manager Amelia Snell.
Much Ado About Nothing will be presented for three nights: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. every night, in the Webster Thomas Auditorium, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Reserve tickets are just $11 (including a $1 processing fee) and are available onlinehere. You can read more about the play and some thoughts from the director Mark Stoetzel at websterschools.org.
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Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but the folks at the Webster Museum have their sights squarely on the Christmas season.
In a little less than two weeks, representatives from almost 20 Webster businesses and non-profit organizations will be descending on the museum to decorate their miniature Christmas trees, set up all around the museum as part of this year’s Festival of Trees. During the festival, community members are invited to stroll through the museum, examine all of the beautifully decorated trees, and vote for their favorite one.
The first day you can check out the trees will be Saturday, Dec. 6, not coincidentally the same day as the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland celebration. The museum will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. that afternoon, with live music and a sing-along with the Goodwin family at 4 p.m. and the Saxophone Therapy Project at 5 p.m.
Stay tuned for a more detailed blog about Winter Wonderland in a few days.
The Festival of Trees runs through the end of the year, and is a highlight of the museum’s Christmas-time celebrations. The ever-popular holiday raffle returns this year as well, featuring gifts and vouchers donated by our very generous local merchants. PLUS, the museum will also be selling Kittelberger Flower Cards again this year, good for 12 months of flowers from Kittelberger Florist. Tickets will be available at the museum Nov. 24 through Dec. 12.
The Webster Museumis located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Call 585-265-3308 for more information.
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Here’s everything you need to know about what you can win:
FIRST PRIZE:
Treat yourself (and that special someone) to the ultimate night out! This basket includes:
Three (3) mini bottles of wine
$25 gift card for drinks at The Filling Station
$100 gift card for dinner at jojo Bistro & Wine Bar
$25 gift card for dessert at Dairy Queen
Keep the holiday magic going with four (4) passes to the Sweet Creations Gingerbread Exhibit at the George Eastman House — a must-see seasonal favorite!
This basket has everything you need for a night filled with fun, flavor, and festive cheer!
SECOND PRIZE:
Bring on the holly-jolly vibes and make your home merry and bright with this tree-themed basket holiday basket! Everything included celebrates the beauty of the season’s favorite evergreen.
Festive tree-shaped serving dish
Tree-shaped décor
Cocktail and dessert napkins
Kitchen towels
Tree-print soup mug with matching sandwich cutter
Chicken noodle soup mix
BLT dip & cheeseball mix
Ghirardelli peppermint hot cocoa mixes
Winter pine scented candle
Frasier fir hanging sachet
Festive ornaments
The raffle will be live from Tuesday Nov. 18 through Thursday Dec. 18, when the winners will be chosen. Tickets are one for $25, three for $60 and six for $100 (that’s a bargain!). You can click here to purchase them online.
Not only is this a great opportunity to win a pretty awesome Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one, but you can feel good that you’ve supported a really awesome organization at the same time.
Webster Comfort Care Home (WCCH), located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, provides free hospice care to the terminally ill of our Webster community. The dedicated staff members and volunteers there uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of its residents, while supporting their loved ones in a warm, home-like atmosphere. It’s an amazing agency that does great things for families experiencing the some of the most difficult times of their lives.
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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).
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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