Tag Archives: Webster Central Schools

Webster community mailbag

19 Jan

Let’s start today’s mailbag with this delicious note from the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WASP):

WASP will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, Feb. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Masonic Temple, 30 Orchard St.

The dinner will include spaghetti with meatballs, salad, bread, a drink and dessert. (Meatless and garlic sauce options will also be available.)

Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. For takeout, call (585) 872-3500. A chairlift is available for anyone who needs it.

Tickets available soon for Hadestown and Annie

Our high school and middle school musical season begins in just a few short weeks.

First up is the classic hit Annie, Jr., presented by the Willink Drama Club on January 31 and Feb. 1.

Based on the popular Tony-winning musical about a spunky little red-headed orphan, the youth edition is a perfectly-sized adaptation for the entire family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets will be on sale beginning Monday, Jan 27.

The following week, Feb. 6 to 8, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will present the hit Broadway musical, Hadestown. The “teen edition” of the movie is still a full-length production — a haunting, jazzy folk opera which follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Hadestown has only very recently been released, and Webster Schroeder is the first in our area to get it.

Tickets go on sale January 23 at 9 a.m. and when they’re available, they can be purchased online here.

Women’s Club Feb. luncheon to feature Never Say Never Stables

Janice Camilleri from Never Say Never Stables in Webster will be the guest speaker at the next Women’s Club of Webster luncheon, Thursday Feb. 20 at Nucci’s Italian Seafood & Steak House, 807 Ridge Rd., Webster.

Never Say Never Stables, the “small stables with a big heart,” specializes in teaching “horsemanship from the heart” to all children. Janice will talk about her unique programming connecting special-needs children with horses and small farm animals.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Janice’s presentation. The buffet luncheon will consist of chicken marsala, mixed vegetables, oven-roasted potatoes, penne with sauce, salad and a cannoli for dessert. Friendship and camaraderie are included at no charge. New members are more than welcome.

Cost of the luncheon is $21. Send check made out to WCW by February 13 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

Creativity and Imagination Collide at Camp Invention

Camp Invention, the Webster Central School District’s popular STEM- themed camp has been scheduled for July 21 to 25 at Spry Middle School.

Camp Invention provides an experience that builds confidence, creativity, and imagination. Campers team up with friends to explore open-ended, hands-on STEM challenges led by qualified educators.

Camp Director David Gorski and his team will guide campers as they build their own claw machines, team up for an eco-expedition as they investigate Antarctica with a robotic assistant and propel plush penguins across “snowy” landscapes, design a custom control panel and navigate their journey with help from GPS and AI tools, and uncover optical illusions as they explore the science behind special effects.

Cost is $300 per camper with sibling discounts of up to $40 off per child. Extended day hours also be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for an additional $100 (select Extended Camp during checkout). Register here before March 20 to save $24 with code FUN25 at invent.org/camp. Payment plans are available here.

Join the Thought Exchange

This also from the school district:

The Webster CSD is continuing its planning for the 2025-26 district budget that will be up for a community-wide vote on Tuesday, May 20. The district welcomes feedback from all Webster CSD community members when planning a budget for a school district that serves 8,000 students and 1,600+ staff members. Knowing the feedback of its community will help the district develop a budget that reflects the community’s input for its students.

The district uses ThoughtExchange as one of its many communication tools. This collaborative, online platform is used to gain insights and feedback from the community as the district makes decisions that impact everyone, including a proposed budget for next school year. Participation is voluntary and while thoughts are shared, participant identities are kept confidential.


Webster CSD is asking the community to please consider participating in the ThoughtExchange by clicking here or going to the district website at websterschools.org, selecting the news story “Community Input Sought on District Budget”, and following the link from there. The survey will remain open until January 31.

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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).

(posted 1/19/2025)

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WHEN hosts series to help parents navigate the tween years

14 Jan

No doubt about it, raising kids is hard. The tween years can be especially challenging, when school academics and social interactions become more stressful, kids face pressure to experiment with drugs and smoking, and family dynamics seem to change every day.

The Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) recognizes these challenges and has come up with a series of programs to bring parents, caregivers and professionals together to discuss ways to deal with them. The interactive forums, hosted in partnership with the Webster Central School District, are called Navigating the Tween Years. They’re designed to help parents of tweens prepare their kids to thrive, even in a world where adolescent anxiety and mental health challenges are on the rise.

The series features three events:

  • From Worries to Wellness: Building resilience in a stressful world on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster;
  • Social Media & Your Kid: How tech is changing social development on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Klem Road South Elementary School, 1025 Klem Road, Webster; and
  • Empowering Your Family: Harness the power of protective factors on Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster.

The focus of these events is on the tween years, but all parents are welcome to bring their questions and experiences to share. The forums will use a World Cafe model, designed to engage participants in discussion, so bring an open heart and willingness to share, learn, and support other parents while growing your parent network.

The series kicked off in October with an evening of community coffee and conversation on the topic “Social Media and Your Kid.” Presenters included: Joe Montemaro, Webster CSD Director of Educational Technology and Information/Communications; Dana Buccieri, WHEN member and a retired Webster CSD school counselor; and Dustin Bailey, WHEN member, Webster CSD Unified bowling coach, and Young Life representative. Together, they led discussions on how technology has changed social development in tweens, and how parents can help their children develop the soft skills they may be missing. The event proved so valuable that this additional session has been scheduled.  

Parents do NOT need to have attended any prior sessions to attend one or all of the remaining sessions. 

This event is for adults only, children will not be permitted. There is no charge for attending, but please register in advance so they know how many are coming. For more details or to register, visit WHENdfcc.org/events. You can also email your questions to info@whendfcc.org.

About WHEN: 

WHEN (Webster Health and Education Network) is a network of Webster community members linked through awareness, education, and action. We assess community conditions and develop appropriate strategies to reduce early drug and alcohol exposure. Research suggests that the longer youth wait to use drugs and/or alcohol, the less likely it is that they will become addicted later in life. Therefore, WHEN’s goal as a community coalition is to collaborate with our partners to delay, decrease, and prevent substance use among youth. Together we can reduce high-risk behavior, increase protective factors, raise awareness, and strengthen community collaboration. All Webster residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to join us in this cause and can reach our Executive Director, Janine Sanger at: director@WHENdfcc.org.

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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).

(posted 1/14/2025)

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News from Community Arts Day

12 Jan

Normally around this time of year, I start previewing the upcoming Community Arts Day, which is one of my favorite events of the year.

This annual event, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.

It’s normally held in mid-April, but this year, thanks (I believe) to some scheduling issues, it will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So it’s a little later this year than usual, but it’s still something you want to put on your calendar right now.

Community Arts Day is a terrific day of music and art, displays, demonstrations, crafts and food. The event was created as a collaborative effort to raise funds to encourage and enhance fine arts through the Webster School District, and it relies heavily on volunteers to help it run smoothly. There are many ways you can help, including joining the planning committee, acting as a building rep for your child’s school, become a performer or an exhibitor, provide monetary sponsorship, and much more.

Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities, and make sure to put Saturday, May 10 on your calendar now for this year’s Community Arts Day.

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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).

(posted 1/12/2025)

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Webster community mailbag, etc.

2 Jan

On my walk Thursday morning, I strolled through the village to see if any good blog ideas might jump out at me. It seems that everything is still slowly waking up again after the holiday season, so there’s not a whole lot to write about these days.

I did notice that the new Sweet Square Bakery on the corner of West Main and North Ave. now has butcher block paper in the windows, so something must be going on in there. (I sent them an email to see if I could get an update.) I peeked inside Caraglio’s Pizza on East Main, which has been “coming soon” for three months now, but it looks like they’re still a long way from opening.

There also seems to be some activity in the old Jeff’s Computer shop, so I’ll continue to keep an eye on that.

I also stopped in to chat with Mark Petzing at the Mary Wee Pub to see how things are going there, and he reports that business is strong. If you haven’t checked out the new pub yet (which replaced Barry’s Old School Irish at 2 West Main), make that one of your New Year’s resolutions. It’s a great place.

So, since there’s no real news to tell you about, here are a few mailbag reminders of events coming up in the next few weeks.

Great family events at the Webster Public Library

The Webster Public Library will host a Preschool Open House on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. Representatives from preschools and nursery schools in the Webster area will be available to chat with parents and provide information about their programs. Registration is not required.

These schools will be there: Little Learners Preschool in Webster, NY, Penfield United Methodist Preschool, Positive Preschool, Webster KinderCare, Webster Central School District’s PreK, Busy Blossoms Daycare, Webster Montessori School, and Woodside Nursery School. 

On Sunday Jan. 19, the library will be hosting a brand new event called the Library Fan Fest, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Participants can visit five different literary realms: The Dragon’s Den (fantasy), The Queen’s Ball (Regency era), The Fairytale Forest (princesses & fairytales), Mythology Camp, and the Comics Cafe (comics & superheroes). Each realm will offer themed crafts, activities, treats, and more. Visit with live animals, have a tarot card reading, learn a Regency-inspired dance, get your face painted, visit the Candy Shoppe, meet characters from your favorite fairy tales and comics, and more. Costumes are highly encouraged.

This event is for literary lovers of all ages. There’s no charge, but you must register. Click here to do so.  

Families of Young Children Asked to Take Census

Parents/guardians residing within the Webster Central School District (CSD), and who have children ages birth to 5 years residing in the household, are being asked to take a brief young child census survey that will be used to forecast student enrollment for the foreseeable future.

Completing the census is a young families’ first connection with the school district. It enables Webster CSD to keep in contact with families as their children approach 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.

The form will be available on the Webster CSD website through January 6, 2025. Families who do not have access to a computer can participate by calling Student Registration at (585) 216-0029.

January Women’s Club program set

The Women’s Club of Webster will welcome local author Robin L. Flanigan as the speaker for its January meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Flanigan has written several books, including 100 Things To Do In Rochester Before You Die, an excellent guidebook for the Rochester region. The meeting will be held at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd. Social time begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon, lunch, and Ms. Flanigan’s presentation.

Lunch costs $19 and will include a variety of Proietti’s pizzas, salad, a cannoli and camaraderie. New members WELCOME! Send check made out to WCW by January 9 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have questions or think that your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

“Spring” musical season is upon us

The middle and high school musical season has crept up on us already. It begins on January 31 and Feb. 1 when the Willink Drama Club presents the classic hit Annie, Jr.

Based on the popular Tony-winning musical, the youth edition is a perfectly-sized adaptation for adults and kids of all ages. The spunky little orphan will warm the hearts of your entire family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. I don’t think tickets are on sale yet, so stay tuned for that information.

The following week, Feb. 6 to 8, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will present the hit Broadway musical, Hadestown. The “teen edition” of the movie is still a full-length production — a haunting, jazzy folk opera which follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Hadestown has only very recently been released, and Webster Schroeder is the first in our area to get it.

More to come about show times and tickets.

THIS JUST IN!

I “stopped the presses” for this fun event that just came across my Facebook feed from the Webster Recreation Center:

It’s their Buffalo Bills Hype Party, scheduled for Saturday Jan. 11. The time hasn’t yet been determined because we don’t yet know when the Bills will be playing, but it will run for two hours. (Don’t worry, the party will NOT be during the game!)

The party will feature:

  • FREE ADMISSION with a donation to Webster HOPE
  • Lala of Webster will be on site selling Bills gear
  • Bills Fan, Jeremey Andrzejewski will be emceeing, helping play music and running trivia
  • Buffalo Bills-themed lawn games
  • a mini living room with multiple TVs and old Bills media
  • Buffalo Bills-themed photo area
  • tailgate-type snacks

This is a family friendly, alcohol free event, which is absolutely free and open to the community. Stay tuned to the Webster Recreation Center Facebook page for an update on the event’s time.

GO BILLS!

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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).

(posted 1/2/2025)

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Strege named Athletic Administrator of the Year

25 Nov

The New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA) has named Shawn Strege the Chapter 5 Athletic Administrator of the Year.

A 25-year veteran of Webster CSD, Strege is the director of health, physical education and athletics for the Webster Schroeder High School Warriors, a role he’s held since July 2018. Prior to then, he served as an assistant principal and a physical education teacher, all at Schroeder.    

NYSAAA’s Chapter 5 Athletic Administrator of the Year award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated evidence of devotion and idealism to athletics through NYSAAA.

“Your peers have recognized your hard work, dedication, and professionalism in the promotion of athletics in a positive manner,” Chapter 5 Chair Brian Donohue wrote in a November 19 letter announcing the honor.

Webster Schroeder High School Principal Paul Benz agreed. “Each year Shawn finds ways to make our athletic programs better for our athletes, coaches, supervisors, and spectators. He spreads the good about high school athletics, as is evident with his leadership work with our team captains and schools across the county,” he said. “The Schroeder brand shines because of his creativity and commitment to our student-athletes. We are fortunate to have him as our AD.” 

Strege will receive the award at the Chapter 5 annual Dennis E. Fries Awards banquet to be held in June at the Genesee River Restaurant. He will also be recognized at the Roy O’Neill Awards dinner at the NYSAAA Conference in March.

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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).

(posted 11/25/2024)

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Willink Student-Parent Band will perform Nov. 23

19 Nov

The Willink Student-Parent Band will be presenting their fall concert this Saturday.

This is a very talented local music group whose musicians range from middle schoolers to grandparents, doing what they love to do — play music — all together in one place.

The band, now in its 31st season, is comprised of Webster School District students, parents, grandparents and community members. It’s led by conductors Tiffany DiPiazza and Matt Osika, who promise a musical lineup with pieces from Jurassic Park, the Muppets, disco tunes and more. Plus, in celebration of the band’s 30th anniversary last year, there will also be a special world premiere of “Dramatic Fanfare” written for the band by former Willink music teacher, composer, and Student-Parent Band founder Larry Neeck.

The Willink Middle School Student-Parent Band will perform Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Willink Cafetorium, 900 Publishers Parkway. A $4 donation is suggested for admission. Tickets can be purchased from band members or at the door.

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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).

(posted 10/31/2024)

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Webster Thomas High School presents The Diary of Anne Frank

15 Nov

Most of us are familiar with the story of Anne Frank. She was the Jewish girl who kept a diary while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne, her family, and four family friends hid in an 800-sq. ft. annex for more than two years, with help from employees and friends of Otto Frank, before the Nazis discovered them and sent them all to concentration camps. Her diary was turned into a book, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, which for many of us was required reading in high school.

So when Webster Thomas High School brings The Diary of Anne Frank to the stage next weekend, you know it’s going to be a very moving performance. The set pieces, simple and unadorned, reflect the gravity of the subject. There are a few lighthearted spots, but there are no high-stepping dances or sweeping show tunes, and it’s not a happy ending.

But if you should decide to attend one of Webster Thomas’ three performances, director Mark Stoetzel wants you to remember one thing: “This is not a story about death. It is a story about life.”

In the program’s director’s notes, Stoetzel writes,

The people Anne describes in her diary … were much like any of us. They had jobs, and friends, and favorite songs. They laughed – often at themselves … And they fell in love. But they were not saints. They made mistakes. They annoyed each other. They said things they wished they could have taken back. They complained (a lot). They were, in other words, a lot like us.

So rather than wallow in sorrow, The Diary of Anne Frank asks us to celebrate the safe and happy lives that were denied to the Frank and Van Daan families and have another piece of spice cake. Most of all, it reminds us to celebrate those around us – those we love as well as those we just can’t stand.

Webster Thomas Theater’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank will take the stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 21, 22 and 23, at 7 p.m. each night at the school, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Reserved seats are $10 each and advance tickets can be purchased online here.

Evelyn Fellows plays Anne and Matteo Serventi is her loving father, Otto Frank. Dominick Mangano, Rylie Biroscak, Jeremiah Fischer, Ella Vernacotola, Brook Hoffer, Mia Fellows, Abigail McNett and Robert LoFaso co-star, supported by 17 other back-stage and crew members.

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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).

(posted 11/15/2024)



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Drury and DeWitte named Master Teachers

13 Nov
Melanie Drury
Peter DeWitte

Here’s a bit of nice news from the Webster Central School District.

Webster CSD teachers Melanie Drury and Peter DeWitte have been named New York State Master Teachers.

Drury and DeWitte are among 144 educators representing 83 school districts recently added to the statewide network. Drury has been teaching science for 12 years and is currently in her 10th year at Webster Thomas High School. DeWitte, a technology teacher at Webster Schroeder High School, has been teaching for 26 years, 24 of which have been in Webster. 

Master Teacher is a professional network of more than 1,700 public school teachers with a passion for inspiring the next generation of educational leaders. As Master Teachers, they will support students in grades K-12 in the areas of science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math and integrated STEM. They will also serve as mentors for students and early-career teachers. 

The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine SUNY campuses to leverage the expertise of the University’s faculty and existing educator preparation programs, and SUNY counterparts collaborate regularly with local STEM career and industry experts. Drury and DeWitte attended SUNY Geneseo.

Throughout their four-year participation in the program, Drury and DeWitte will engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year; work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; and attend required regional meetings to participate in and lead professional development sessions each year.

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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).

(posted 11/13/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

8 Nov

Chris Perfetti has made it

If you’re a fan of Abbott Elementary, then this first mailbag item will interest you.

One of the best characters on that show is Jacob Hill, played by Chris Perfetti. What you may not know is that Chris is a 2011 Webster Schroeder grad. You may have seen him in Schroeder’s annual musicals (my favorite was when he was the Cat in the Hat for Seussical). He’s had many roles in TV and film since graduating, but his work on Abbott Elementary has become his breakout role, and has won him a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Several weeks ago, Chris was featured in the New York Times, in their “What actors do on Sundays” column. My husband, a regular NYT reader, shared the link with me, and the link should work for everyone, NYT subscribers or not.

Click here to see the article. (Photo above courtesy the New York Times).

The Diary of Anne Frank Coming to Thomas Stage

Webster Thomas High School will present the moving drama The Diary of Anne Frank later this month.

The play is based on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the true story of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who kept a diary while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II.

I’ll be writing more about the production soon, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up because tickets are on sale now.

Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 21 to 23 at 7 p.m. each evening, at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Seating is reserved. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online in advance here. Tickets are digital and can be printed at home.

More to come.

Festival of Trees

I’ll have a more detailed blog or three about the Village of Webster’s annual Winter Wonderland festivities. But I always like to give a social shout-out to the Webster Museum and their annual Festival of Trees, which they host during the event.

The Festival of Trees will be held on Saturday, December 7 during Winter Wonderland. Museum visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 17 beautiful and creative entries which have been set up throughout the museum. (Online voting will also be available at webstermuseum.org.)

The museum will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. with live music beginning at 4 p.m.

Also this year, the museum invites everyone to help decorate their “Museum Memory Tree” by hanging an ornament with the name of a loved one or pet whom you’ve lost. The museum is also resurrecting its popular holiday raffle (so bring some cash), and will be offering the also very popular Kittelberger Florist “bouquet a month for a year” coupon booklet.

It all happens Saturday, Dec. 7 during the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland.

New hats and old books

A few quick reminders from the Webster Public Library about some programs this month:

  • The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s annual hat sale is going on now. Adult hats start at $8, children’s hats at $4.
  • A Vintage Book Sale will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices start at $8.
  • This month’s community collections are cookbooks and recipes, and the Keeping our Promise donation station.

Mark your calendar for Breakfast with Santa

The Webster Lions Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa has been scheduled for Sunday Dec. 8 (note the new date; it’s been scheduled for the first Sunday in December for years).

It will be held at Webster Schroeder High School from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Santa and his elf will be there for the children, as well as the Lion Club’s Lion. Plus, there’ll be lots of great raffle items and free vision screening for kids ages 6 months to 12 years. And of course, breakfast: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee.

The Pancake Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser is one of the ways the Lion’s Club earns money to help those in need. This year, donations will be made to the Webster Community Chest, Webster Hope and other charities.

Rec Center 55+ Monthly Newsletter

I recently got emailed my copy of the Webster Recreation Center’s 55+ newsletter, which is always packed with great programs for all of us taking full advantage of our active later years.

There is SO MUCH STUFF that I’m not going to go into too much detail here, just highlight a few things, and recommend you check out the newsletter for yourself and sign up to have it delivered monthly to your email box.

  • Technology Workshop, Tues. Nov. 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. FREE
  • Doctor’s Orders entertains during lunch on Wed. Nov. 13. FREE
  • Muslim Countries Wanderings, the Tuesday Travelogue on Nov. 12 (registration required)
  • The Lunch Bunch is going to Applebee’s on Nov. 15
  • The Holiday Party is scheduled for Wed. Dec. 11

And that’s just a sampling. Check out the newsletter for yourself to find out lots more.

Yum. Cookies.

The Women’s Club of Webster’s super-popular Holiday Cookie Sale returns to the Webster Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out, which is pretty quickly).

Proceeds from the sale benefit the club’s scholarship funds and many other programs and not-for-profit organizations in the Webster community.

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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).

(posted 11/8/2024)

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Webster Marching Band is #1 in the state … again!

29 Oct

This is why they’re called the Pride of Webster.

Last Sunday, our very own Webster Marching Band blew away the competition at this year’s state championships, held at the Dome in Syracuse, earning the title of New York State Champion in the Large School 2 (LS2) class. And they did it in impressive fashion, smashing a 20-year old scoring record.

The band competed in the LS2 class against eight other schools from all over the state. At the end of the day, only 8.6 points separated the nine schools. But Webster stood alone at the top, with 92.1 points, almost two full points ahead of second-place Kingston. It was the highest score recorded in the last 20 years for LS2.

This year’s show, with music written by David Hamilton, is called “Death of Star.” Band parent Michelle Lowe described it for me:

It takes you on a captivating journey through a star’s life cycle, from its brilliant beginnings to its transformation into a black hole. The show opens with vibrant music and colors, representing a massive star in its prime, radiating energy and life. As the star expands into a red giant, its fiery red and orange glow creates a stunning view that dominates the night sky.

As time passes, the star’s core becomes unstable, reflecting its exhaustion as it depletes fuel. Our ballad in the second movement represents the outer layers drifting away into space due to powerful winds and planetary nebulae. Eventually the star’s core collapses, resulting in a supernova explosion that marks the end of its life.

The final movement is chaotic and intense, depicting the star’s explosive end and subsequent collapse into a black hole. The music shifts to a darker tone as the core crumbles and condenses, creating an event from which nothing can escape. The field transforms into a swirling vortex, echoing the fiery chaos of our star’s ultimate sacrifice and transformation into a black hole.

Wow. Just wow. I wish I had seen it. No wonder the judges were impressed.

This is the band’s third state title, also winning in 1989 and 2021. In 2021, with a score of 90.8, their show “Unbroken” also beat out eight other schools, and marked the first time they achieved more than 90 points. This year’s score was even higher.

The Webster Marching Band is made up of 72 student musicians and performers drawn from all four Webster secondary schools: Spry Middle School, Willink Middle School, Webster Schroeder High School and Webster Thomas High School. Each band season begins with extensive training in the spring, followed by parade season, summer show season, fall competition season, band camps, weekly rehearsals and an eight-week competitive season. It’s a grueling schedule, and it’s great to see that all the hard work these musicians put in this year was so richly rewarded.

The band was welcomed home Sunday evening by cheering crowds and a fire department escort.

Congratulations to the all of the Webster Marching Band musicians and performers. Your hard work payed off big time. You truly do make Webster proud.

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(posted 10/29/2024)

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