Webster Schroeder High School is kicking off the spring musical season with an in-person performance of A Chorus Line, which will be presented in four shows the weekend of Feb. 10.
The high-stepping, Tony Award-winning musical is described on the Webster Schroeder Musicals website as “a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition” which explores “the inner lives and poignant ambitions of professional Broadway performers.”
The show features tunes we all recognize, including “What I Did for Love,” “One,” “I Can Do That,” “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror,” and “I Hope I Get It.”
“A Chorus Line” will be presented in four shows, Thursday and Friday Feb. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday Feb. 12 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., in the Webster Schroeder auditorium, 875 Ridge Rd.
Congratulations to Denise Baller, the high-spirited, fun-loving owner/operator of Dancing With Denise, for receiving this year’s Webster Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award.
Denise was honored at the recent Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. The award recognized Dancing With Denise’s 37-year history in Webster, and Denise’s long-standing commitment to the Webster community. (The list of community service projects which she submitted as part of her nomination form filled a full two pages.)
I can personally attest to that commitment. I’ve featured Denise and her dancers several times in my blog, like when they’ve participated in community events, danced outside the windows at Maplewood Nursing Home, donated money to Bella’s Bumbas, and more.
True to her nature, Denise deflected much of the credit for the award to others in her life, including her husband Bill who found their building and turned it into a “castle”; her parents — “Miss Tina” and Frank — who taught her to work hard and persevere; and of course her dance families.
“I was also excited to use this as a teachable moment for my twins as well as all of my students,” she added, “to always reach for your star.”
Believe it or not, the day got even better for Denise. Immediately after the meeting, she headed over to Penfield Place Senior Living, where she shared the award with her former dance teacher, Joan Grabell Brown.
She wrote,
When the pandemic began, I used to go to see (Miss Joan) by doing window visits. I hadn’t see her since the fall, although I thought of her often. So today I decided to thank HER and show her what I had accomplished. …
It was so wonderful to see her in person and show her the honor I had received and to say thank you. I told her I wouldn’t be “Miss Denise” unless she was “Miss Joan”. I then proceeded to tell how she had inspired me through her own philosophy of teaching dance and that I was so grateful to be able to share this special moment with her. She has Alzheimer’s and every time I go to see her, I often wonder if she is going to remember me. But she does and today was super special because she was proud of me.
On a heartwarming side note, Denise met the facility’s activities director when she was there, who invited her to come back every week to teach a dance class with the residents.
“I am so happy to spread my love to them on a weekly basis, especially to ‘Miss Joan’, who I know is going to be my star student. The circle of life… it’s a beautiful thing.”
All in all, it was pretty much a perfect day.
… a special day I’ll always remember, because I received (the award) and circled it back to the person who instilled in me my love for dance and the ability to share the simplicity of creating an environment where (every dancer) feels like a prince or princess.
We all know there’s a lot to love about the Village of Webster, but next month there’s going to be dozens of reasons to fall in love again.
Beginning Tuesday Feb. 1, the Webster Business Improvement District (BID) will host a month-long “Fall in Love With Webster” community celebration, a brand-new event highlighting all of the businesses and activities that our village offers.
The celebration is being organized by Lisa Schlonski, owner of Lala Gift Shop on East Main St., and her able assistant Jody Laurer. The idea actually came from Jody’s daughter Maddie. She’d recently visited small-town Ridgefield, CT, which held a “Fall in Love With Ridgefield” event in October. “It’s a little village like Webster,” Jody remembered her daughter saying, adding that it would be fun to do something similar here.
So she and Lisa got out their calendars and started planning. February, the month of Valentines and sweethearts, seemed perfect. It also helps that the month holds other quasi-holidays they could incorporate, like Groundhog Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day.
What they’ve put together is an entire month of merchant discounts and special events, all embracing the theme of love. There’s even trivia (read more about that challenge at the end of the blog). Almost three dozen business owners are participating; many of them will be decorating their windows, and even Village Hall has gotten into the act, hanging heart-emblazoned banners along the light poles on Main Street.
The goal is to promote a fun way to unify the village residents and business owners. But it’s also all about helping community members get to know our village a little better, find out more about our many fine businesses, and encourage everyone to get more involved in all of the activities found here.
Details are still being finalized and new events are being added every day, but following are some highlights from JUST THE FIRST WEEK. Click on the hyperlinks for more information, and make sure to “like” the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page for a complete list (It’s updated regularly!)
The Village of Webster is inviting everyone to start the month of love off right by becoming someone’s secret admirer. Send some flowers, pay it forward at the coffee shop, perhaps. Basically, help someone else fall in love with Webster, too.
Finally, let me tell you about the trivia challenge! Each of the participating businesses will be placing a trivia fact about their business or product in their front window. Your challenge is to collect all the trivia answers and on Wednesday Feb. 23, bring them to Barry’s Old School Irish for the weekly trivia contest. The week’s theme? WEBSTER! The questions will be based on all the trivia posted around town.
Remember to “like” the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page for the latest updates on all of the 50 or more events scheduled throughout the month. Then get ready to … fall in love with Webster.
I ripped many of these items from the Town of Webster’s weekly newsletter. If you don’t get this emailed to you or check it out on the website regularly, you might want to to that, because it’s always packed with great information.
Try a winter hike
Winter is one of the most beautiful times of year to take a hike. The Friends of Webster Trails got you covered.
The Friends’ first hike of the year will take place this coming Saturday Jan. 22, at 9 a.m. at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve. It will be about 3 miles long and is rated “moderate,” with some rolling hills. You’ll want to RSVP by signing up for the Meetup.com event, so you can get more details and updates. It will be held in snow, rain or shine, so make sure to dress appropriately!
P.S. The hike is absolutely free.
What events would you like to see in the village?
You know the Webster Business Improvement District … or at least you know their events. This is the group behind a lot of the special events we have here in the Village of Webster, including the Trick or Treat Trail, Wine Walks and Family Game Nights. It’s an organization comprised of village business owners, dedicated to promoting village businesses.
If you’re a village resident or business owner, would like to find out more about the BID and perhaps put in your two cents about the events you’ve seen or would like to see, here’s your chance: the first BID meeting of the year will be held Monday Jan. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Webster Interiors, 975 Ebner Drive.
The meeting will be more a social gathering than anything else. It’s a great chance for village residents and business owners to get to know more about the organization and exchange ideas on how best to help promote village businesses. Food and drink will be provided.
And … here’s a teaser … I know that the BID will be announcing a really neat new event at this meeting, so it will be a great one to attend!
Challenger Miracle Field is hosting “A Night to Shine” Valentine’s Prom for children and adults with special needs on Friday Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. It’s a chance to gather with old friends and meet new ones. Singles and couples are welcome.
Suggested donation is $20 and includes a buffet dinner, dancing, a photo booth and more. Registration is required by Feb. 1. Click here for more information and to register.
When will more test kits be distributed?
Yes, the Town of Webster will be distributing more COVID tests kits, but they don’t know when.
A new supply is expected, but there are no specifics right now as to when that might be or how many the town will be getting. You can sign up for Town of Webster email alerts here to stay up to date.
Remember, however, that as of yesterday, every household in the U.S. can order 4 FREE tests from the government, delivered in the mail. Here’s the link to sign up.
A reminder from the Town
Finally, some important things to remember now that we have a lot of snow on the ground:
Daniel Webster, the man after whom our town was named, turns 240 years old on January 18. It’s a benchmark that should be noted (if not celebrated with a 240-candle cake). He’s pictured above, in a photo provided by the Webster Museum along with news of his fast-approaching birthday. Looking at the photo, I’m not sure he would consider celebrating the occasion a valuable use of our time, however.
The Museum folks also remind us that Daniel Webster never actually visited Webster during his 70 years on Earth. However, he did speak in Rochester at a fortuitous time, around 1840, just when North Penfield was looking for a new name. Several North Penfield residents attended the speech, and were so inspired by his message and eloquence that they decided to propose his name for the new town. The Town of Webster was born and named in 1840.
A year later, Daniel resigned as a U.S. Senator and became Secretary of State for the first time, resolving some long-standing disputes with England that facilitated westward expansion. He would continue this work as well as domestic and trade issues through a second term as Secretary of State.
Webster died in office in 1852. Our town, his namesake, continues to grow and thrive bearing his name.
The Webster Museum will actually be open on January 18, Daniel Webster’s birthday, so that would be a great day to visit. While you’re there, check out the museum’s winter exhibit, which highlights many of the fun ways we’ve found to actually enjoy the cold winter months.
I remember stories being told by some of our told-timers about sledding on the village streets east of four corners, and even on North Ave. itself. I’m looking forward to hopefully learning more about that on my next visit to the museum.
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open Tuedays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free but donations are always greratly appreciated.
For all of you ice skating fans out there, here’s a phone number you’ll want to put up on your fridge:
585-872-7103 (option 3)
That’s the number to call for an update on the conditions at the Webster Parks and Recreation ice rink. I checked it yesterday and the good news is, thanks to the recent cold weather, the rink is finally open!
The community ice rink is located in front of the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, off of Phillips Rd. just north of the village. It’s a nice size, 52 ft. by 104 ft., fully lined, and is totally FREE for anyone to use. You don’t even have to be a member of the Rec Center. There’s even a warming shed where you can sit to put on your skates. You’ll want to bring your own skates, though, because there rentals are not available.
Make sure you call that number before you go, however, to make sure that our capricious winter weather hasn’t turned the ice surface into mush.
Since we’re talking about Webster Parks and Recreation, here are a few other fun events they’re running which I wanted to pass along.
The first is the Four by Four Community Art Project. Basically this is a fun way to get your whole family crafting, and help decorate the Rec Center at the same time.
Here’s the deal: for $2 each, you pick up a 4×4″ canvas square anytime between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1. Take it home and design it any way you’d like. Once it’s complete, return your square to the Rec Center by Tuesday March 1, and all the squares will be hung side-by-side to create one huge art piece.
And this looks like something I’m going to want to try myself: the Clovers and Clues Scavenger Hunt.
From March 1 through March 17, families are encouraged to participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt, co-sponsored by the Webster Heath and Education Network (WHEN). Visit the WHEN website beginning March 1, and from there you’ll visit multiple spots throughout the Town of Webster, gathering letters at each location which will ultimately decode a final message promoting healthy choices.
Once decoded, the message can be submitted to Webster Parks and Recreation for a chance to win a prize.
The folks at the museum have announced the 2021 Festival of Trees winners. The two trees receiving the most votes (which were tallied in person and online) were for Saunders family’s Lego creations in the children’s division, and the Webster Quilt Guild’s handmade fabric creations in the adult division.
Saunders family Webster Quilt Guild
While we’re talking trees, don’t throw out that small artificial tree that you don’t want anymore. Several of the museum’s Festival of Trees trees are showing their age and need to be replaced. If you have a 3.5 or 4-foot tree which you can donate, email Kathy at ktaddeo5@icloud.com.
So many things happening at the library
A huge Webster welcome to Adam Traub, the Webster Public Library’s new director, who began his tenure this week. It’s actually a homecoming for Adam, who’s a Webster native with a lot of library experience. I chatted with him several weeks ago and came away very impressed by his enthusiasm and passion. Read that blog here.
Remember when I got to display a bunch of my blog photos on the library’s Artist’s Wall? (You can see them all here, by the way.) Well, now here’s YOUR chance.
The Webster Public Library is looking for artists to exhibit their work on the wall. Each artist — painter, illustrator, photographer, quilter, whomever — gets an entire month for their exhibit. If you’re interested in applying, click here to read the Artist’s Wall policy and here for the application.
The creative ways the library finds to encourage learning continue to amaze me.
Here’s their latest: they’re called “experience kits,” and like everything else, you can borrow them. Each kit is a collection of items — including books, DVDs and/or supplies — which help you learn a new skill. There are LOTS of kits, encompassing crafts, science, sports, and lots more.
For example, the Cake Decorating Kit has The Complete Guide to Cake Decorating book, a turntable, decorating tips, spatulas, icing smoothers and a pastry bag; the Ghost Hunting Kit hastwo books, Ghost Hunting for Beginners and Chilling Tales of Rochester’s Past, plus an EMF meter, flashlight and dousing rods; and the Microscope Kit has a microscope and carrying case, plus blank slides and prepared slides.
Here are this month’s special events at the library:
Make a felt gnome at January’s monthly craft night, Monday Jan. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. (in person). All materials will be provided. Teens in grades 4-12 and adults are welcome. There’s no cost, but registration is required. Click here to register.
Learn how to make a bullet journal. A bullet journal is a cross between a planner, to-do list, a diary, and anything in between. Sarah Dennison will host a Zoom-based class Tuesday Jan. 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to tell you all about it and get you started. Adults and teens are welcome. Registration is required.
The library will provide the supplies, you bring the creativity to Bad Art Night and make some crazy art on Friday Jan. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. (in person). Teens grade 4-12 are welcome. Click here to register.
January’s make-and-take crafts look like a ton of fun, too.
For kids, there’s a fortune cookie craft. For teens, paper spinners, and for adults, a puzzle piece picture frame. All materials are provided. You just gotta stop by the library to pick them up!
The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.
As another challenging year comes to a close, I took a moment the other day to look back through all the blogs I wrote in 2021. It was a fun tour and I was a little surprised by the sheer number: 248. I really thought there’d be fewer than that, given that we were still dealing with the pandemic, schools were still ratcheting up from remote learning and many regularly-scheduled special events were scaled back or postponed entirely.
I spread positive news from our schools about the Webster Marching Band’s Autumn Fanfare and State Championship; the schools’ musicals and dramas, Plank North and Schlegel Elementary Schools’ Tour Around the Lakes; and the creative ways the PTSA found to help the Class of 2021 feel special.
Then there were all those blogs which I can only characterize as snippets from small-town life, the kinds of simple things and wonderful people that make living in Webster special.
I shared photos of many of our village’s beautiful gardens, charming village porches and Christmas decorations. I told stories about neighbors helping neighbors: the Curtice Park homeowner who hosted a COVID-friendly Easter scavenger hunt for kids; a porch concert on Park Ave.; and the kind person who’s created a wild animal sanctuary on the Hojack Trail. I especially liked giving shout-outs to kids doing great things, like the young artists who created a chalk garden on Baker Street, and the six-year old who sold lemonade on South Ave. to benefit St. Jude’s.
I’ve met many wonderful people through this blog, and shared many of their stories with you. Like “Webster’s Mrs. Claus,” Florence Kinney; Brandon Schafer, the “North Ave. Artist”; and the new director of the Webster Library, Adam Traub.
Finally, I shared some personal stories, and wrote others just for fun (like the recent one about the hit-and-run at the Irondequoit Rec Center).
I got a proclamation for outstanding community service from the Town of Webster in August, and displayed many of my blog photos at the Webster Public Library. I shared both of those accomplishments with you all. I introduced a new website, Afterthoughts, and a few enhancements to my Webster on the Web site, links to local services and a village directory.
I know a lot of you are still reading this blog, three or more page scrolls down from where it began. I know that because you are the folks who’ve been with me all year.
You’re the reason I write this blog. Because even though I enjoy doing this, it would get pretty old if I thought my words weren’t making a difference.
So thank you all for being faithful readers. I wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2022, and I look forward to continuing to spread good news from our hometown.
Many of you know that I have a direct line to the North Pole. Santa and I are kind of on a first-name basis.
His name is Jim Lockwood, and he’s Webster’s resident head-elf, appearing at functions all over town, in both winter and summer. He’s also been an Eastview Mall Santa for years.
I got to know Santa Jim when I interviewed him for my East Extra column seven years ago. I’ve since come to know him as a kind, generous soul, befitting his alter-ego. He’s appeared many times in my blogs, but perhaps my favorite is from Christmas Day, 2017. Jim had emailed me, offering me a look at several of the letters he had received while working at Eastview. He wrote,
There isn’t anything special in them. It’s just a peek into the hearts, minds and eyes of these precious little children who truly believe in Santa Claus.
It was such a charming blog that I wanted to do it again. Jim was very happy to meet me a few days ago and handed me a bag stuffed with almost a hundred wish lists, thank you notes and drawings that he and an Eastview Sanra colleague had collected earlier in the week.
Some were typed on a computer, others were fill-in-the blank forms that looked like they were done in school. Children used crayons, colored pencils, and markers. Others were neatly printed, others were just scribbles, and several were clearly penned by the parents, with the child adding a drawing or signature. Some lists filled a page or more with dozens of items, others had just one or two. Many had multi-colored words, holiday sketches and portraits of Santa and his elf. (There were several mentions of “Buddy,” whom I imagine is their Elf on the Shelf.)
They asked for a lot of the “hot” toys, like a Nintendo Switch, Paw Patrol characters and Legos. But the sheer variety of requests took me by surprise, everything from Barbies and Squishies to a real F150 truck and a hamster. Several put stars or stickers next to the items they REALLY wanted. Others tried to help Santa by drawing detailed pictures of their favorites AND including prices. Some got really specific (like the children who wished for 11 peacock feathers, a $40 iTunes gift card and $30 worth of Roblox.)
It was so much fun reading some of the things these children wrote, like
I want a red firetruck with a ladder. I also want a real Mama kitten and a dog. I need bones for him.
Hi Santa it’s a charm having buddy over it’s so fun finding him
dear Santa, I know I’ve been a little nauty I will try to tern it around
(this at the end of a two-page computer-generated list) After that long list, let’s get to the end. Thank you very much for your generosity every year to not only me but to every other kid in the world. We deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness to us.
One 3-year old big sister, asked what her little brother might like from Santa, suggested bottles, food, dinosaurs, parrots, bananas and ice cream.
The one which made really laugh, however, was obviously written by Santa’s co-conspirators, the child’s parents. It read,
Dear Santa,
I have been pretty good for a two year old. Daddy says if I don’t start pooping in the potty he is going to disown me. I’m sure he’s kidding though … I think.
Thank you, Santa Jim, for reminding us what it was like when believing in Santa Claus was one of the best things about Christmas. And Merry Christmas to all my readers. May it bring you simple joys and happiness.
Here are some of those letters and drawings:
Here’s one where the child included drawings for handy reference
I liked it when the children were straight with Santa about their behavior
This little girl divided her list into “expensive” and “cheap” items.
I think this young man included the entire Lego catalog. He forgets that Santa is old and has bad eyes
Another handy diagram
Not a gift suggestion, just a fun drawing for Santa
There were lots of elf drawings
Here’s another one with prices included to help Santa
This jam-packed list was typical.
Just … wow.
Colorful AND stickers
This one, clearly from a toddler, was neatly stuffed in a sealed envelope addressed to the North Pole.
In many cases, children even took the time to decorate the envelopes
The Village of Webster is an awesome place to live and work, but every Christmas season, it’s especially magical.
For starters, village homeowners really do a nice job with holiday decorations. Some displays are sparkly and gaudy, others muted and dignified. But together they make for a delightful stroll or slow drive through the streets to admire the spectacle.
I did just that last night, snapping photos of many of my favorites. You’ll see them in the slideshow at the end of this blog.
But something else happens every year (pandemic years excepted) that I think makes our village unique: community caroling.
This week the streets of Webster Village were alive with music as two separate groups strolled through the neighborhoods, caroling at businesses and homes along the way.
The first of the musical meanderings took place Monday night, when Robyn Whittaker, owner of Beyond Cuts salon, hosted almost two dozen friends, business acquaintances and assorted other local residents on her “Christmas Carol Debacle” caroling party. I couldn’t join the festivities this year, but I’m sure the happy group visited plenty of unsuspecting businesses and homes on their trek through the village.
They even stopped at my house, where my husband and I enjoyed a hearty version of “Jingle Bells” (pictured above). It made our evening, as I’m sure it did for many others who enjoyed ther carolers’ music.
Then last night, I joined the Chorus of the Genesee briefly for their annual “Soup & Carol Night.” The Chorus has been hosting this evening of caroling for more than 25 years. This year’s group numbered about 20, who first gathered at the Harmony House to pick up song sheets. After their musical walk through the village, everyone returned for socializing, coffee, cookies, and a selection of delicious homemade soups.
This kind of stuff is really what small-town life is all about.
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
webster on the web 