When last we heard from young Pierson Farina — Webster Village resident and world-changer — he was presenting a $100 donation to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD). Pierson had raised the money through his “Returns for a Reason” fundraising initiative, in which he is collecting and redeeming returnable bottles and cans to benefit local agencies.
His plan is to make a donation every time he collects $100. He began the project earlier this summer, and it only took him three months to raise his first $100. He chose the WVFD by random as the first beneficiary. In just one more month, thanks to great support from the Webster community, Pierson raised $200 more, donating the funds to Lollypop Farm and Honor Flight Rochester.
Now Pierson is well on his way to raising another $100 for his fourth cause: Spry Middle School, where he attends school. The principal there, Dr. Chris Callahan, has agreed to allow Pierson to put a can in the cafeteria to collect the students’ returnables. Apparently Spry is in need of a bike rack since so many kids ride their bikes to school, and Pierson wants to help raise money for that.
If you’d like to help Pierson continue his charitable efforts, stash your returnables in your car, and the next time you’re in the village, drive down Dunning Ave. and look for the bin with the Returns for a Reason flyer attached to the front!
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Judah Sealy onstage …… and offstage at the 2023 Webster Jazz Festival
Are you planning to check out the new Bruce Springsteen movie when it hits the theaters this coming Friday? If you do, you’ll see a face that you might recognize, especially if you’re a jazz fan.
In the movie, Deliver Me From Nowhere, Rochester resident Judah Sealy plays the part of Clarence Clemons, who for almost 40 years was the backbone of Springsteen’s E Street Band, his saxophone solos providing a signature sound to the band’s many hits, including “Born to Run” and “Jungleland.”
Sealy is a chart-topping smooth jazz saxophonist and regular performer at the Village of Webster’s annual Jazz Festival. A few days ago I had the opportunity to chat with him to get his thoughts on what he called a “once-in-a-lifetime dream.”
It was about a year ago when Sealy first found out that a movie about Springsteen was in the works, when he got a Facebook message from fellow musician — and highly renowned saxophone player — Andy Snitzer. The two had never even met, but Snitzer was familiar with Sealy’s work.
He reached out to me and he said, “There is a woman named Sandy Park who is the music contractor for an upcoming film about Bruce Springsteen, and they are looking for someone to play the part of Clarence Clemons. … somebody who actually plays saxophone who could embody Clarence Clemons. … I think that you would be great for the part.”
Sealy was hesitant at first; he didn’t know anything about movies, and as a single father was worried about the travel and the time commitment that would be involved. But when Park contacted him and told him what they were doing, he agreed to try out.
For the audition, Sealy was told to film himself playing the solo from “Born to Run.” He recorded it three times before he was happy with the result and sent it off. But on the advice of his friend Deepak Thettu, he also added a “bonus track” to his audition: You’re a Friend of Mine, which Clemons recorded with Jackson Browne in 1985 and became a big hit.
Sealy was one of hundreds of musicians trying out for the role, but the extra effort made his audition tape stand out from them all. “(Sandy) said, that’s the one that sealed the deal. She told me that when I did that song, I was able to show more of the character of Clarence than just his playing, and that’s what they really wanted.”
Sealy was awarded the role last September, and flew down in October to meet the director and the other musicians and take part in the first rehearsal, held at the Power Station recording studio, where Springsteen produced his iconic album Born in the USA. Then back down again in November for wardrobe fittings and wig fittings.
In December, Sealy returned to film his first scene, which took place at The Stone Pony, a music venue in Asbury Park, NJ, which Springsteen would frequent. By the time filming wrapped up in January, he’d been back and forth to New York four or five times, filming recording sessions and concert scenes at the Power Station, Stone Pony and the Meadowlands.
It was a unique experience which gave him renewed respect for how hard actors work.
“Every scene they shot we had to do literally at least 30 times,” Sealy said. “They would do the same scene from one angle, then five or six times from another angle, then they do the same scene with closeups on Jeremy (who was playing Springsteen), members of the band, the audience.”
The band members had to project the same raw energy with each take.
We delivered it every single time. We had to. The director said we had to learn the music exactly the way it was played, note for note. Imagine how difficult that is. When the original members of the E Street Band and Bruce were performing this music, they were adding their own embellishments to the song, whereas we had to learn their embellishments. Imagine the way that somebody might be riffing on something, we had to learn how they riffed. That was a talent in and of itself.
It definitely takes a toll.
And yes, he did get to meet The Boss himself.
Our very first day we were filming, me and the members of the E Street Band are at the Stone Pony, waiting for what we’re supposed to do, on set seeing what the venue was like, where we would be filming, and in walks Bruce. He came over and said, “How you guys doin”? We’re all starstruck, like, what is our life, are you serious? This is crazy.
After going to wardrobe and makeup, Bruce comes up to me, because he knew I was playing Clarence, and he said, “It’s nice to see The Big Man again.” My heart just melted. (Clemons passed away in 2011.)
Sealy doesn’t have many scenes in the film, but the ones he does have are powerful.
There was another time when we were filming a scene and I was doing what I thought was my best, playing the character of Clarence. After we finished the scene, the music producer pulled me aside, and he says, “When you were doing that scene, Bruce started weeping while he was watching it on the monitor. He was saying, ‘I miss my friend, I miss my friend.’ The fact that you were able to provoke that reaction, I applaud you.”
I was so moved. Even as cool as this opportunity was, I wanted to do justice to Clarence’s family, to the fans, to Bruce’s relationship with Clarence. Even though it’s very brief that I’m on the film, I didn’t want to just go up there and make myself look cool. I wanted to do it justice and to get that kind of reaction from Bruce was very special.
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For today’s History Bit, we continue our museum tour of Webster, but step off of Main Street for a quick peek into some typical early-1900s homes.
At the back, easternmost end of the museum, are three period rooms – a parlor, bedroom and kitchen – which seem to have been frozen in history, plucked straight out of the early 20th century. Displayed within them are dozens of common household items which reflect what everyday life was like in the Town of Webster in those early days.
A pump organ and melodeon (a small reed organ) anchor the furnishings in the first room, the parlor, reflecting that this family was probably a bit more upper class – and liked their entertainment. Standing nearby are an Edison table-top Victrola and a crank-handle cabinet Victrola which still plays records. And remember Viewmasters? Next time you stop by the museum, make sure you try out their inspiration, a stereoscope.
Next door to the parlor is the bedroom, where a typical rope bed sits in the center of the room, not far from the very important chamber pot, wash basin and pitcher. Make sure to pause to read the interpretive text panel to learn where the phrase “sleep tight!” came from.
The last room, the kitchen, features dozens of tools essential to keep a home running. There’s an ice box, a cast iron stove (which used wood or coal), a toaster, iron and ironing board and lots of kitchen gadgets that made everyday life in a busy household a little easier to manage.
Stay tuned for the next stop on our museum tour when we learn more about Webster’s apple and basket industries and much more. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Webster Museum on their website, webstermuseum.org. Or stop by for a personal tour.
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There’s no admission charge.
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The Village of Webster’s ever-popular Trick-or-Treat Trail returns to downtown streets on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In case you haven’t heard about this great event yet, here’s what it’s all about:
Basically, for three hours on what is usually a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon, children and their adults can wander the village, popping in and out of businesses, trick-or-treating. Full costumes are expected of course, and not just for the children! It’s always fun to see entire families dressed up, often as a common theme. I love taking photos of cool parents who get into the spirit.
The trick-or-treating will begin at 11 a.m., and the costume contest runs from 11:30 to 12:30. Don’t worry about missing out on any of the village festivities, because it only takes a few minutes to file through the Community Meeting Room and have your photo taken for the judging.
So grab your kids, get everyone into costumes (including you, too, Mom and Dad), then stroll through the village, visiting friendly merchants who will be handing out candy. (Participating businesses will have a pumpkin sign displayed in their window.) This is a great chance to check out some of the newer businesses in town, or even some older businesses you’ve never been in before.
And make sure you stop by the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., because they’ll be holding their annual open house, complete with demonstrations, free fire hats, and candy of course. And turn the corner on Lapham Park to take the short walk to the Webster Museum. The volunteers there always have some sort of scavenger hunt planned.
Keep an eye out for me and my camera; I’ll be wandering the streets, too, taking photos of as many kids and families in costume as I can. Then I’ll post a really big follow-up photo gallery. (Click here for my gallery from last year.)
The Trick-or-Treat Trail is sponsored by the Webster Business Improvement District. Stay tuned for more information about future village events, including the Bourbon Bash on Saturday, Nov. 22 and the Winter Wonderland celebration (with the ever-popular Parade of Lights) on Saturday, Dec. 6.
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‘Tis the season for creative and scary Halloween displays, and a short time ago one of my readers wrote to me about the one he’s set up in front of his 1108 Everwild View home. He’s put a lot of work into it and he’s pretty proud of it, and he tells me it’s become a neighborhood favorite. But since he lives at the end of his cul-de-sac street, he doesn’t get a lot of traffic, so he thought I might help him spread the word.
I went by the other night to check it out (it’s best at night) and it is pretty neat. Apparently Brian built a lot of the pieces himself. Here are a few more photos from it, but you’ll want to stop by to see it for yourself to get the full effect.
The ever-changing and ever-growing display was born during COVID, and started with just a few elements. It was part of Brian and his wife’s idea to make sure the neighborhood kids could still enjoy Halloween, even during a pandemic shut-down.
They devised a celebration just for the kids on the street, friends and family members. Homeowners would put tables at the end of their driveways, and the kids would stop by each one to trick-or-treat. In the past (depending on the year) the event has also included a food truck, and often a special appearance by the fire department.
Six years later, the Turnquists continue to delight the neighborhood with their spooky display, and are still making the holiday extra special for the neighborhood’s kids. If you’d like to drive by, Brian will have the display lit up Sunday through Thursday from dusk until 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from dusk till 10 p.m. (weather permitting).
Sign up now to participate in the Parade of Lights
Despite all the really cool Halloween decorations popping up everywhere, it is not yet actually Halloween, but our Webster Volunteer Fire Dept. has already started planning for the ever-popular and spectacular Holiday Parade of Lights.
The parade is always the highlight of the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities, which this year will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and ALWAYS draws a huge crowd, no matter how cold it is.
More details to come, but for now, if your business or organization wants to participate this year, you gotta sign up. To do that, click here, and fill out the form.
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A warm Webster welcome to Lovely You Aesthetics, one of the village’s newest businesses.
Owned and operated by Carla Ann Scheiber, FNP-BC, Lovely You is located at 82 North Ave. She’ll be offering a wide variety of services including bio repeels, chemical peels, micro needling, Botox, fillers, personal skin care evaluations, weight management and more.
The location is a beautiful old house built in 1914 which still holds much of its original charm including leaded glass, stained glass windows, and coffered ceilings. And despite the fact it hasn’t been strictly a private residence for a long time, every room still exudes that at-home feeling.
The final touches are still being completed on making every room perfectly suited for the new business. Eventually, the there will be two treatment rooms downstairs, four treatment rooms upstairs, and two bathrooms.
“It’s a nice big space,” Carla said, “and we’re going to grow into it.”
Carla’s been offering beauty-care services for a while, working out of the house and rented space. But this is her first brick-and mortar location, and she’s very excited to have found it. But it almost didn’t happen.
“When I started this,” Carla said, “I really saw myself in Webster or Penfield. I live in Ontario and have a lot of roots in Webster but I couldn’t find anything. So I started to widen my search. I found a space to lease in Pittsford, but after months and months of trying to get the zoning approved, they rejected me.”
But it was fate, because it turned out “it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Literally the next day my realtor sent me this (listing), and it was for sale.” She’d found the perfect place, a beautiful house, in a village which has welcomed her with open arms.
For now, Carla will only be joined by two other injectors as she builds her business. But in the future she’d love to add a massage therapist and aesthetician to her team, to build it into a “real medical spa.”
Her approach is already very people-focused.
“You’re not going to come here and get a sales pitch,” she said. “You’re gonna know us, we’re going to educate you, we’re going to actually care about you, building that trust and that education component so that people can make informed decisions.”
Carla will be hosting a grand opening celebration on Friday, Oct. 17, so that’s a great opportunity to check out Lovely You Aesthetics for yourself. It all starts with a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m., followed by a “happy-hour-style” open house from 3 to 7 with signature cocktails, finger foods, vendors, raffles, giveaways and merch bags. She’ll officially open for business the next day, Saturday Oct. 18.
In the meantime, you can find out more about her new business on her website and Facebook page. You can also connect with her on Instagram (lovely.you.aesthetics).
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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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Some weeks I barely have enough ideas to fill three or four days of blogs. This is not one of those weeks.
Some days I only have a handful of items for one of my mailbags. This is not one of those days.
So in the interest of making today’s mailbag easier to compile for me, and easier to read for you (without a whole lot of extraneous information), How about this … I’ll bullet-point everything, and if you need any additional information about any one of them, click through the handy link in each listing.
We’ll start with stuff happening in October:
If you’re a guy who likes to sing, consider stopping by Guest Night at the Chorus of the Genesee on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. Join the guys to sing ‘a cappella’ music — you don’t need to read music! If you can sing a tune, they’ll show you the rest. No need to register, just walk on in the Main St. entrance. If you’re early, someone will meet you at the door. If you get there on-time/late, follow the signs upstairs to the rehearsal room. There’s singing until 9 p.m., then refreshments and socializing. If you have any questions, call 585.259.3590, or email RochesterCOG@gmail.com. If you can’t make it Tuesday night, feel free to show up any Tuesday night at 7 p.m. (but there’s no promise of refreshments!)
Did you know? October 15 is National White Cane Safety Day. The observance celebrates the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and recognizes the important symbol and tool of independence, the white cane. As the story goes, in 1930, George Bonham watched a man who was blind attempting to cross a street. The man’s cane was black, and motorists couldn’t see it, so Bonham proposed painting the cane white with a red stripe to make it more noticeable. But was he the first to think of this? Ed Wilkonski, from the Visionaries Low Vision Support Group in Webster, sent me the whole story. If you’re interested, click here.
Webster Health and Education Network will host a DEA National Drug Take Back event on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Town Court, 1002 Ridge Rd. This will be a drive-through event so you don’t even have to get out of your car. Registration is not required, but if you register you’ll get a reminder via email about the event. You can register and get more details here.
St. Martin Lutheran Churchwill host their next Pulled Pork Drive-Thru on Saturday Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. until they run out. Dinners include pulled pork, salt potatoes, roll, cole slaw and cookie for just $15. Pull into the parking lot, place your order using exact payment, and the dinner will be delivered to you as you drive up in your car. Proceeds will support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project. St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.
Frank and Greg Palma’s Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow returns to the Webster Museum on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. If you’re curious about the value or origin of a favorite piece, the Palma brothers will share their expertise and insight into the history and value of your items. Free refreshments provided. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.
The October community exchange table will have spooky stuff — bring your old and unused spooky stuff and swap it for different spooky stuff.
The Friends of the Public Library’sFall Book Sale takes place Oct. 22 to 25. The first day of the sale — Wednesday — is members only, and the public can shop Thursday through Friday. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. Visit the Friends of Webster Library web page for hours and more information.
On Saturday Oct. 18, celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Come see amazing dancers, listen to fabulous singers and musicians, sample delicious food, and enjoy celebrating with the community. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and registration is required. All ages are welcome.
Teens and tweens in grades 4 to 12 are invited to a night of spooky fun on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with activities, treats and more. Costumes are encouraged! Registration is required.
This year’s Library Trick-or-Treat event will be held Friday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There’ll be a trick-or-treat trail set up through the entire library, with a spooky maze at the end. Come any time, and costumes are encouraged. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
Looking ahead to November
The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters will host their 2025indoor craft sale on Saturday Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. They’re expecting more than 40 vendors.
The Women’s Club of Webster‘s annual Card Party is Tuesday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.at Glendoveers, 2328 Old Browncroft Rd. Play cards or a game of your choice. Participants will enjoy Danish and coffee in the morning, and a buffet lunch. Door prizes, raffles, 50/25/25 drawings and more. Donation is $45 and reservations are required by Tuesday, October 28. Click here for more information.
Spry Middle School students and staff will host their annual free spaghetti dinner for Webster veterans, active duty service members and their families on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. It will be served in Spry Middle School’s cafetorium, 119 South Avenue, and feature a complimentary meal of spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Reservations are requested. Call Spry Middle School at (585) 216-0093. Click here for more information.
The Webster Arboretum will present a program called Bird Seed Ornaments: A Family Affair on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 135 Chiyoda Dr. Bring the family and join the members of the Arboretum to learn how to make “bird cookies,” the perfect little snack for the birds in your yard. They’re easy to make and fun to watch the birds enjoying them. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information.
Whew.
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I’ve written here many times about The Village Quilt Shoppe, at 21 East Main St., ’cause it’s one of my favorite shops in town, run by two wonderful people, Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti. And more than once in those blogs, I focused on how this little shop is spreading love around the world, through their support of One Common Thread.
One Common Thread’s mission is to empower women in Central America — specifically Honduras — by giving them the opportunity to work and and earn an income, which helps set a new standard for their children.
How Vanetta and Monique do this is simple:
First, their customers generously donate fabric and 3” squares.
Volunteers meet regularly at the shop to create kits from those donations and send them to One Common Thread in Honduras.
The women there learn the art of English Paper Piecing (EPP), hand-basting hexagons that they are paid for individually.
Once enough hexagons are made, they’re sewn into kits or quilts, then returned to the U.S. to be sold.
The income these women earn allows them to provide essentials such as food, diapers, formula, stoves, beds, tin roofs, cement floors, and tuition for their children’s education. In some cases, it even helps them attend trade school themselves. For many, this is their first chance to gain financial independence and self-confidence.
The Village Quilt Shoppe has proudly sent fabric, kits, needles, and thread for more than four years. But they’d really like to do more.
Recently, the shop received some of the women’s finished products, which inspired them to host a Silent Auction to continue supporting this incredible organization. The auction will be held from Oct. 14 through 28. Auction items will be on display at the shop, 21 East Main St., for in-person viewing and bidding. Items will also be listed on the Village Quilt Shoppe website, and bids can be placed by calling the shop at 585-626-6916.
Proceeds from the auction will help Vanetta and Monique cover packaging and shipping costs, and any left over funds will be donated directly back to One Common Thread.
Here are just two images of some of the items available for auction. Check the website to see 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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Yes, it’s only October, but the Webster Museum is already thinking ahead to the holidays, and their annual Festival of Trees.
This year’s Tree Festival will begin on Saturday, Dec. 6, which is (not coincidentally) the same day as the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland holiday event. Starting that day and through the end of the year, museum visitors can vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 15 to 20 beautiful and creative entries. (Online voting will also be offered.)
But before that can happen, individuals, families and organizations need to step up and do some decorating! Two $25 prizes will be awarded for the trees getting the most votes.
Spots are filling up quickly, but there’s still time to get involved. If you’re interested in decorating a tree, call Gwen Hoffman at (585) 738-6221.
By the way, the museum is also looking for a few additional music groups willing to share their talents during the Winter Wonderland festivities at the museum. So call Gwen if you’re interested in doing that 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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There’s been some chatter on social media in recent weeks about the new Roc City Empanadas restaurant on South Ave. in the village. Luis Carrasquillo — better known as “Munchie” — opened the restaurant in early July and for a while did some brisk business. But then the open hours became sporadic, and more recently, it almost seems like it’s closed permanently.
Well, the sporadic summer hours were due to the fact that Luis was juggling his new restaurant responsibilities with a very busy food truck schedule. When that started to slow down, he started to focus more on the restaurant. But when the restaurant went dark again in early September, people started to question whether Luis was really committed to the village.
But here’s the real story, which I tell with Luis’ blessing, because he really wants people to know what happened.
About a month ago, Luis was involved in a frightening accident. He was on the shoulder of Five Mile Line Rd., helping a friend secure a fence to her trailer, when another driver struck him. The impact sent him flying ten feet.
Luis suffered a compound fracture to his leg and was losing blood rapidly. A veteran who happened on the scene applied a tourniquet, most definitely saving his life.
Last I spoke with Luis (about two weeks ago) he’d already had six operations to try to save the leg. I don’t know where things stand now (I’m trying to get in touch with him again), but I do know one thing: Luis Carrasquillo feels blessed.
Not angry, not depressed, not despondent. Blessed.
Luis’ religious faith is rock-solid, and he’s certain that God was with him that evening, not only because he survived the accident, but because so many other things went RIGHT. Like how he was thrown clear of the traffic and not into the roadway. Like how the tourniquet (which belonged to his friend) just appeared on the ground next to her crushed vehicle. How the veteran showed up and knew how and where to apply it. The ambulance got there in record time. And most important of all, how one of the MRIs revealed a growth in his forehead which was causing him headaches.
Luis still has a long road ahead, but he wants everyone to know that his commitment to the Village of Webster — his home — is unwavering.
“I want the people to know, don’t give up on me,” he said. “”I don’t want people to be sad. I am so happy with my lord and my community and I love all of you guys. … and I want to find the veteran and give him a hug.”
As Luis recuperates, he hopes that friends and family will be able to keep the restaurant open three or four days a week, mostly on the weekends, offering pretty much his entire menu. Those same friends and family are also working with the United Way to create a GoFundMe. So keep an eye out for the OPEN sign, and stay tuned for more information about that fund-raising effort.
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Update!
One of my readers (“Pooch”) posted a comment last night (which you can read below) saying the restaurant happened to be open last Friday, and he spoke to Luis’ son Angel. The GREAT news is that Luis was scheduled to be released last weekend. Let’s hope that happened.
Pooch continued,
Store hours will continue to be sporadic until Luis recovers. Please hang in there! Try to get there when they are open. Luis’s faith is really strong and he wants everyone to know that he apologizes for the delay in getting the store open with regular hours, but it will happen! Luis is a strong strong man, and a man of his word…
Thanks Pooch!
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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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