Tag Archives: Village of Webster

You are being watched…

11 Jun

There seems to be a new movement afoot, and I like to think that I was in on it from the beginning.

If you know me fairly well — or have read my blog for a while — you may remember that I have broken two bones in recent years, one in my finger in 2010, and my arm last spring. I had a series of casts each time, each one smaller than the next. Just for fun, I decided to personalize each one with googly eyes.

And I named them, of course, usually after Muppets like Kermit and Oscar and Cookie Monster.

I got a lot of weird looks, of course, and a lot of giggles from children. And I was pretty much certain that I stood apart from all others in my silliness.

glass leaner

But I was wrong. There are a lot of silly googly-eye people out there who were just waiting for the right time to pounce.

I think I noticed it first from my friend Kristen, whose “bonus daughter” keeps putting miniature googly-eyes on items around their home, from coffee canisters to spray bottles.

But then, just a few days ago, I discovered a new Twitter feed dedicated to the googly-eye cause.

It’s called Googly Eyes of ROC (@rocgooglyeyes), and the organizers (who prefer to stay anonymous) simply want to spread some happiness. As they explained:

The idea came to me after seeing so much negative and unhappy news about our city. $5 for a pack of googly eyes, a camera, and a dream to spread smiles is what we’re all about. We want people to love our city, and we want to show it off. All of it. From its highest highs to its lowest lows, all in good humor. Right now we’re focusing on the city, there’s so much going on it’s an endless opportunity to show off so many wonderful gems Rochester has to offer. Who doesn’t love a pair of googly eyes? šŸ™‚

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A recent placement by Googly Eyes of ROC

So the group’s googly eyes haven’t spread as far east as Webster yet. But I still have a lot left over from my cast days, so don’t be surprised if you find a tree — or sign post or ugly village planter — looking back at you next time you’re out and about.

And please feel free to help spread the happiness. Follow @rocgooglyeyesĀ on Twitter, get out with some googly eyes and a camera, and post your photos with the hashtag #rocgooglyeyes.

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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the ā€œFollow Meā€ link on the right side of this page.

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A shout out to our Special Police

30 May

special police 4

Do you know those Special Police officers you always see working crowd control at parades, helping us cross the street during the carnival, and helping out at accident scenes?

Did you realize they’re all volunteers? Not only that, they have to go through a lot of training just to even become a volunteer.

Here’s a more detailed description from the Town of Webster website:

The Webster Special Police are a group of volunteers, appointed by the Town Board of Webster, whose mission is to assist the Webster Police Department during emergencies and special events. As certified NYS Peace Officers, our goal is to provide citizens with a professional organization that stands ready to fulfill this mission whenever activated. Our vision is to maintain the highest standards of organization, training, and professionalism in order to aid the police department in upholding the laws of the State of New York, County of Monroe, and Town and Village of Webster.

They were out in force during the Memorial Day Parade. I always make it a point to thank them for being there, and this time around I also snapped photos of as many of them as I could to single out this great organization for their service.

So take a look at these faces and when you see them at the Firemen’s Parade, make sure to give them a smile and a “Thanks for being here!” Because they don’t have to be.

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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the ā€œFollow Meā€ link on the right side of this page.

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Photos from Webster’s parade

29 May

 

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So the weather could have been a little bit better for Monday’s Memorial Day Parade, but it also could have been a whole lot worse.

This is the first year I can remember that we’ve had any kind of rain for the parade. But even this year it wasn’t too bad; a few sprinkles during the marching, and a shower during the ceremony at Webster Rural Cemetery. The crowds lining Main Street and Ridge Road were noticeably thinner this year, probably thanks to the threatening weather, but there were still plenty of onlookers. Many of them came prepared with umbrellas and pop-ups, or found space under some of the large trees that lined the route.

Despite the dampness, I didn’t hear any grumbling. I think we all realized that the men and women we were honoring had suffered much worse.

The only disappointing thing about the day was seeing how many people forgot to stand when the flag came by.

I’ve posted a few photos here, but there are plenty of more here in my gallery, including some from where everyone was lining up, through to the ceremony.

P. S., if you got any great photos which I can add to my gallery, please email them to missyblog@gmail.com.


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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the ā€œFollow Meā€ link on the right side of this page.

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Webster Village Band: 50 years and still going strong

30 Apr
2016 Christmas concert

The Webster Village Band at their 2016 Webster Schroeder Christmas Concert

Fifty years ago this summer, Webster Village Council member Gerry Barrett proposed that the village create a band that would provide free summer concerts to village residents. The Village Board agreed, and asked Stan Maruszak to lead the new musical group.

A half century later, the Webster Village Band is still going strong, and still providing beautiful music every summer.

Several years after the band started, Sue Siegmund began assisting Stan as Associate Director and Marcia Naukum helped out with band administration. When Stan passed away in late 2004, a group of band members worked together to continue band operations, and establish a solid relationship with the Webster Village Board.

Since then, a music scholarship was created by Stanā€™s widow, Frances, who has since passed in 2010 at the age 83. This scholarship has been awarded annually to students in the Webster Central School District.

Currently, the Webster Village Band is under the direction of Tom Indiano, Musical Director, and Associate Director Sue Siegmund.

Indiano, now in his 13th year with the band, is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Nazareth College, with a concentration in saxophone.Ā Sue Siegmund, a graduate of Fredonia majoring in the French horn, brings a variety of musical experiences to the band, having worked with the Webster musical co-op, Webster Central School District, and as organist for many years at Durand United Church of Christ.

Original members and long-time members with 40+ years with the band, who are still playing, include Mary Crockett, Skip Mayo, Marcia Naukam, Bobbi Przybylowicz, and Sue Siegmund.

The Webster Village Band plays a variety of musical genres, including marches, classical band selections, swing, show tunes and pops.

The band performs outdoors most Thursday evenings at 7 pm from mid June throughĀ August at the Harmony Station Band Shell, located off Phillips Road and Foster Drive, just south of Ridge Road. In case of inclement weather, the concerts are moved to Cherry Ridge at St. Ann’s Community, 900 Ridge Road, across from Webster Schroeder High School.

Concerts are always free and there’s plenty of lawn space. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic basket of munchies and relax and enjoy the music. The large lawn area is family friendly and perfect for youngsters who may find it difficult to sit still. Young audience members have been known to dance, run, play and even conduct the band on an occasion or two.

Other venues the band has played in years past include the Webster Arboretum and Genesee Country Museum.

The 50th anniversary season will kick off with a special event on Tuesday May 16 at 7:30 pm with, a “Side-by-Side” performance with students at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.

The summer season begins on Thursday, June 15, with additional concerts scheduled every Thursday night through August 31, except for June 29, July 13 and August 17. Weather permitting, they’ll also play their annual Christmas in July concert at the Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market on Saturday July 22 at 10 am. Stay tuned for more information about that.

New members are always welcome. Until the performance season begins, rehearsals are held Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm at various Webster schools. New members are encouraged to dust off those instruments and join this vibrant ensemble.

For more information, check out the Webster Village Band website.Ā You can also follow the band on Facebook. Pocket calendars of the upcoming season are available at the Village Hall at 28 West Main Street.

Here’s a slideshow highlighting the great people and directors of our Webster Village Band:

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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

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Chorus of the Genesee announces annual show

14 Apr

COG_Poster

One of the most entertaining concerts of the spring is fast approaching: the Chorus of the Genesee’s 64th annual show, on Saturday May 20.

This year’s show is called “The Songs of Your Life,ā€ with a fun theme. It’s a radio show being presented by WCOG Radio, featuring “best ofā€ segments from four locations around Rochester, with each segment or locale having its own theme. Each segment is sponsored by one vintage advertiser, and will feature the Chorus of the Genesee and one quartet.

The internationally-ranked quartet “Throwbackā€ will join the Chorus as this year’s special guest. Throwback has placed in the top 10 in international competition for the past two years, and their performance is always a crowd-pleaser.

“The Songs of Your Life” will be presented on Saturday May 20, beginning at 7 pm at Penfield High School. Tickets are $16 in advance ($12 for students), $18 at the door, and group pricing is available. To purchase, call (585) 265-9540 or contact any Chorus of the Genesee member.

The Chorus of the Genesee is a non-profit, educational organization devoted to preserving the original American art form of Barbershop Harmony. The Chorus rehearses in Webster, New York, but performs all over the greater Rochester area. A portion of our proceeds support both local and national service projects. For ore information, visit their website here.

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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

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Greater Rochester Peep Show a sweet success

8 Apr

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Just a quick blog to tell everyone to tellĀ everyone about my trip to the Greater Rochester Peep Show on Saturday afternoon.

What fun it was. More than 80 “paintings” and dioramas featuring marshmallow Peeps were spread among two rooms at the Webster Recreation Center, depicting everything from a library to a construction site to a baseball field. The creativity was amazing, and several of them made me laugh out loud.

The Peep Show runs through Sunday, from noon to 4 pm. There’s no admission charge, but you can purchase concessions and voting tokens to vote for your favorite entry. Kind of the “Peeple’s Choice” winner.

The kids will enjoy peeking out of the 8-foot long fairy castle and shooting peeps with a slingshot on the Peeps target range.

You don’t want to miss it. Noon to 4 Sunday, Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.

You can see a lot more photos in my Webster on the Web Facebook gallery.

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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

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Busy weekend ahead

5 Apr

I’ll be bopping around Webster all day Saturday, camera in hand, taking photos of two

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Student artwork from all of Webster’s schools will be on display at Community Arts Day.Ā 

great community events you and the family will not want to Ā miss.

 

For starters, theĀ Webster Central School District’s annual celebration of our students’ artistic talents, Community Arts Day, returns this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.

This is a super family-friendly event, which features artwork from students representing all of our Webster schools, elementary through high school. There are free music performances, dance, community displays, food and baked goods for sale, and plenty of things for kids to do. And just about everything is free of charge.

It’s a great entertaining, low-cost way for the family to spend a morning or afternoon. You can check out the whole schedule here.

And while you’re out and about…

The Greater Rochester Peep Show is also Saturday (and Sunday) at the Webster Recreation Center.

This fun fund-raiser sponsored by the Webster Community Chest invites community groups and agencies to create sculptures or dioramas completely out of — or utilizing — marshmallow Peeps candies. This is the second year the Community Chest has hosted the show, and they expect it be even bigger and more spectacular than the last.

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One of the fanciful creations from the first Greater Rochester Peep Show in 2015.

You can vote for you favorite Peeps creation with tokens which you can buy at show, or just wander around the display rooms and admire the artwork. In either case it should be lots of fun and I am looking forward to seeing this year’s displays. There’s also free face painting for the kids.

 

The show will run from from 11 am to 6 pm Saturday and noon to 4 pm Sunday. You can read more about it here.

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Drive, just north of the village of Webster.

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email meĀ Ā atĀ missyblog@gmail.com.Ā ā€œLikeā€ this blog onĀ FacebookĀ and follow me onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Instagram

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the ā€œFollow Meā€ link on the right side of this page.

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Forget the snow. Village announces spring and summer events

15 Mar

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Despite what we might see piled high in our yards right now, spring is really right around the corner, which means that summer is not far behind.

That was confirmed for me a few days ago when I got my first event round-up email from Robyn Whittaker of the Webster BID, that local business organization that sponsors all of our favorite village events.

Here’s a quick look at what they have planned:

  • Saturday March 11: Village Idiots Relay for Life Team Pasta Dinner at the Fireman’s Exempt building from 4 to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday May 13: Gear Up!, a bicycle event supporting Rotary International and sponsored by Webster Rotary, Webster Chamber of Commerce, Webster Town and Friends of Webster Trails kicks off Mother’s Day weekend. Choose a 53 mile, 26.5 mile or the family-friendly 5-mile ride.
  • July 21 and 22: Webster Jazz Festival in the pubs and on Main Street.
  • June 30: Friday Night Concerts begin in the gazebo.
  • July 13: Movie nights in the park begin, this year once again featuring the Saturday Classic Movie Night.
  • September 9-10: The Garlic Festival returns to the Webster Parks and Recreation Department

Also watch for details about a Wine Walk, a wine and food pairing event a craft beer festival, a “bourbon blitz,” and of course the Trick or Treat Trail and White Christmas in the Village.

Put everything on your calendar, and see you there!

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Barry’s Old School Irish one of best places in U.S. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Yelp says so.

9 Mar
Rory and Maley

Rory and Maley Barry are all ready to go for this coming week’s St. Patrick’s Week festivities at their mommy and daddy’s pub.

All of us here in Webster already know that Barry’s Old School Irish is one of the best Irish pubs in the country. And now the whole country knows, too.

According to a new survey just released by Yelp.com, Barry’s Old School Irish is one of the top 50 pubs in the United States for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, coming in at #45.

Granted, the “survey” was conducted by just ranking the rating and number of reviews each pub received. Still, the fact that SO MANY people have ranked Barry’s favorably is a pretty good indication of the quality of our little pub, our very own, authentic little corner of the ol’ sod. (Click here to see the whole list, which was re-posted on travelandleisure.com.)

And if you’ve seen the lineup of activities Barry’s has planned for what we Irish (and Irish-at-heart) call the “high holy week,” you’ll understand why the pub is so popular. Basically, at Barry’s St. Patrick’s Day becomes St. Patrick’s WEEK.

It starts this Saturday morning, the city’s Parade Day. The pub will be open for a pre-parade breakfast and Irish coffee at 8 a.m. The Foxhunters will be back — as they are every Parade Day — with live Irish music from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Irish Dancers from the Jameson Irish Dance School will pop in at 5 p.m., Everheart takes the stage (actually a corner at Barry’s) to play from 7 to 11 p.m., our favorite Webster bagpiper will stroll through at 9 p.m., and at 9:30 p.m. there’s a Tullamore Irish Whiskey toast on the house.

Plus, there will be Guinness give-aways all day

And that’s just SATURDAY. Click here to see the full lineup of events for the whole week, including a whiskey tasting on Sunday, the weekly Barry’s Run/Walk on Tuesday (when we’ll paint the town green), an extra-special trivia night (of course) on Wednesday, a food and beer pairing on Thursday, and then… well, Friday needs no introduction. But one of the most exciting things about Friday is that there will be a heated tent on the patio. (Which means that’s going to be one of those 70-degree days, no doubt.)

If you haven’t yet been back to the pub since Danny and Jess completed their renovations, this would be a good time to check it out. There’s actually more room now, so there’s less chance you’ll have to go outside to walk around to the bathroom.

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