Tag Archives: Webster Schroeder

Charity basketball game pits Thomas vs. Schroeder

7 Mar

A Thomas vs. Schroeder high school basketball game is always highly competitive and definitely worth watching. But the one happening this Thursday night should be … well, interesting, and dare I say, a little short on actual basketball talent.

It’s a Charity Basketball Game, scheduled for Thursday night March 9 at Webster Thomas High School.

The family-friendly event will pit Thomas/OWL staff and faculty against Schroeder/GOAL staff and faculty in a friendly winner-take-all-bragging-rights game. The school’s Resource Officers will officiate, so it will (well, SHOULD) be a clean game. Halftime activities will include some super fun competitions between Thomas/OWL students and Schroeder/GOAL students. Concessions will be available.

I don’t know for sure how often the high schools have hosted a charity game like this, but I do remember participating in one many, many years ago when I was working at Thomas. What I remember most about it, actually (aside from how poorly I played) were the fun costumes and wigs that many of the teachers wore, and how much laughing there was. It was an enjoyable experience both on the court, and for everyone in the stands as well.

Admission is only $2 (suggested donation), and all proceeds will benefit Dreams from Drake, a Spencerport-based organization which provides children and teens who recently lost a sibling or parent with various forms of community and social support. Additional donations would be greatly appreciated as well.

The game will be played in the gymnasium at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. on Thursday March 9 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Enter on the east side of the building, near the field house.

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(posted 3/7/2023)

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Help a Schroeder senior win Athlete of the Week honors

28 Feb

Hey friends, need to do something nice for somebody today? How about taking a quick moment to help a young Webster athlete become this week’s Bill Gray’s Athlete of the Week?

Webster Schroeder senior Colin Smith is the standout goalie for the Webster Schroeder hockey team. He recently helped the team win the Section V Class B hockey championship with two stellar performances, the first in a semifinal win against No. 2 Aquinas, where he made 40 saves. Then he made another 45 saves against No. 1 seed Churchville-Chili in Sunday’s championship game.

Colin is also an outstanding supporter of the Webster community — he serves as an Explorer in the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and is about to become a full member of the WFD.

Yesterday, WROC-TV named Colin their Athlete of the Week (click here to see the story and video). How about we also help him earn the title of Bill Gray’s Athlete of the Week?

It’s easy to vote. Just click here, scroll to the bottom and check the circle next to the name Colin Smith. And guess what? You can vote more than once!

Voting ends TONIGHT (Tuesday) at 8 p.m.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 2/28/2023)

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The New York State Ballet is coming to Webster

26 Feb

The New York State Ballet, a classical ballet company based in East Rochester, will be returning to Webster Schroeder High School in March to present the ballet Sleeping Beauty.

Among the professional dancers and academy students who will be performing are several Webster students or alumni, including Webster Schroeder graduate Angela Wentling, who will be featured in a principal role.

Performances will be held on Saturday March 25 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday March 26 at 2 p.m. The evening performance on Saturday is especially designed for younger children and will be sensory-friendly. What that means is,

  • the program is shorter in duration
  • sales are limited to half the auditorium to allow patrons to spread out
  • patrons are free to move around during the show, or leave, no questions asked
  • patrons can vocally express themselves whenever they feel the need to
  • the house lights are not completely down
  • scary parts or loud, sudden instrumentation are kept to a minimum

Let me tell you how much I love to see these accommodations. These will really help sensitive children experience the arts.

Tickets start at $15, and can be purchased online here.

The New York State Ballet aims to preserve the classical art form of ballet by creating and performing exceptional productions that bring a refreshed appreciation and awareness of classical ballet to the New York state community and beyond. NYSB productions are designed to be affordable and accessible to community members from every background and socio-economic status.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram.

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(posted 2/24/2023)

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That’s Webster entertainment!

1 Feb

For anyone who enjoys stage performances, song and dance, you’re gonna love these first few weeks of February. No fewer than four stage and concert performances are scheduled, beginning this coming weekend, when Willink Middle School presents Disney’s Newsies, Jr. in three shows on Thursday and Friday Feb. 3 and 4.

Featuring a cast and crew of 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, the show is based on the real-life newsboy strike of 1899. It tells the story of Jack Kelly (Nicole Eggleton), a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant, Joseph Pulitzer (Jeremiah Fischer), raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from reporter Katherine Plumber (Evie Aiezza), the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.

The show is packed with high-energy songs which have become well known to theater-goers and non theater-goers alike, including “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”

Shows are Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 4 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, Webster. Tickets are on sale now on the Drama Club website. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Children 3 and younger are free.

Also this weekend, on Sunday Feb. 5, our very own Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody will participate in a free concert at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre called “A Taste of Song.”

The concert, presented by the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium, will feature 16 area choral groups. More than 600 singers from local choirs/choruses of all sizes and musical styles will sing in this unique, 75-minute collaboration.

Each chorus performs for five minutes or less in a “prism” arrangement, with ensembles singing from various locations throughout the theater. Groups perform continuously without a break or applause between ensembles.

The Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody will be joined by the Eastman Rochester Chorus, the Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus, First Inversion, Madrigalia, the Oasis Community Chorus, the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, and many more. For a complete list and more details, click here.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Eastman Theater, 26 Gibbs St., Rochester.

Next weekend, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Feb. 9, 10 and 11, Webster Schroeder Musicals will present the ABBA-inspired jukebox musical Mamma Mia!

Chances are you’re familiar with the story, but here’s a short synopsis for those who aren’t:

Young Sophie is readying for her marriage to her fiancée, which will be taking place on a beautiful Greek island where she lives with her mother, Donna. She’d like to invite her father to the ceremony, but problem is, she doesn’t know who he is. After reading her mother’s diary, she invites three men, one of whom she believes is her father. When Donna discovers they’re all on the island, she naturally becomes a little distressed. Emotions run high, but everything works out in the end.

The play features tons of popular ABBA songs, including “Money, Money, Money,” “Thank You for the Music,” “Dancing Queen,”  and of course “Mamma Mia.”

Mamma Mia! will be presented on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Feb. 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. Reserve tickets are $14 each and are available now. Click here to purchase.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd.

And last but not least, also on Feb. 10 and 11, the Webster Theatre Guild will present “The One-Act Play that Goes Wrong” as part of a dinner theater at the Penfield Recreation Center.

Both the Saturday and Sunday shows will begin with a pasta dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performance. Tickets are $25. The event is a fundraiser and proceeds will help fund scholarships for graduating high school seniors and support the staging of upcoming musical theater productions.

I wrote a much more complete blog about this yesterday, so click here for more information.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram.

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(posted 2/1/2023)

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Webster Marching Band lights up the field at Autumn Fanfare

5 Oct

Our very own State Champion Webster Marching Band will host their 36th annual Autumn Fanfare field show and competition this Saturday October 8 at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd.

Ten different field bands will compete this year, representing schools from Buffalo to Victor. Each school has about 10 minutes to present their program for the judges before clearing the field for the next band. The programs they present reflect months worth of planning and rehearsing to be ready for almost weekly competitions in September and October, culminating in the state championships on Oct. 30.

Autumn Fanfare is always a spectacular evening of storytelling through music, marching, and even a little bit of acting. There are always huge set pieces involved to move the music-story forward, and this year is especially impressive, ’cause there’s a light show involved.

Their 2022 field show is called “Only Light Can Do That,” and according to the release the band sent, it revolves around “being the light in a dark world…. It reminds people that fighting hate with hate only creates more hate, and that fighting darkness with darkness only creates darkness. Illustrating that change can begin with one person at a time, and that light and positivity can be infectious.” 

The release further descibed the show:

Their performance starts with a flute soloist who plays a melody that repeats throughout the show. This represents the light. In Movement One (“Darkness”), the rest of the ensemble represents the darkness that overtakes the single light. However, in Movements Two (“Shining Through”) and Three (“Light”), you hear and see a shift of positivity when the full ensemble plays the “light” melody which represents light overtaking all of the darkness. Musical selections include original music by Webster Marching Band Director Jerbrel Bowens.

See? It’s kind of like a theatrical performance, driven by music. You really got to see it to believe it.

Autumn Fanfare begins promptly at 6 p.m. with a performance by Marcus Whitman. The rest of the schedule looks like this:

  • 6:13 p.m.: Le Roy
  • 6:26 p.m.: Hilton
  • 6:39 p.m.: Greece
  • 7:12 p.m.: Webster
  • 7:25 p.m.: West Seneca
  • 7:38 p.m.: Medina
  • 7:51 p.m.: East Irondequoit
  • 8:04 p.m.: Lancaster
  • 8:17 p.m.: Victor

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance from Hegedorn’s, $9 at the gate. The show will be held rain or shine.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 10/5/2022)

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PTSA/WHEN-sponsored speaker will address social media concerns

27 Sep

I can’t speak for everyone in my generation, but I’ve come to a point in my life where I can’t keep up with the pace of technology. That’s especially the case with the proliferation of social media outlets. I mean, I’m still not even on board with TikTok and Snapchat, which in 2022 are among the elder statesmen of social media.

So I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to have kids right now, who seem to be on their phones every waking moment. Keeping them safe and focused on school and other responsibilities is a formidable task.

A program coming up on Tuesday Oct. 4 is designed to help parents with that task.

The program, sponsored by the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Health Education Network (WHEN), is called Social Media and Your Kids. It features Mark Stossel, an award-winning poet and filmmaker, who will speak on how technology affects, influences, and makes addicts of all of us.

Stossel is kind of an expert in the field. He ran social media for multinational brands and worked for a social media company where he designed some of the same notification structures to distract people that he now raises awareness about. He has spoken with hundreds of thousands of students, parents, and educators around the world about social media’s impact on our lives and provides a unique and much needed critical perspective on the role of technology in schools and in our society. 

His presentation will illustrate some of the specific ways technology is designed to be addictive and distracting, give an overview of how students are using social media, and give recommendations on how to improve focus and diminish distraction in learning environments. 

Stossel will speak at assemblies at both Webster Thomas and Schroeder high schools, but the presentation on Oct. 4 is meant for the entire Webster community. It will be held at Webster Schroeder High School, 975 Ridge Rd., on Tuesday Oct. 4 beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information on Stossel, go to socialawakening.org. For more information on his Webster School District presentations, contact Joe Montemaro, district director of educational technology and information, at 216-0123 or joe_montemaro@webstercsd.org.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 9/27/2022)

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Webster community mailbag

17 Jun

Are you headed to the Jazz Fest this weekend?

Schroeder Jazz Ensemble is playing Saturday June 18 at 5 p.m. on the Gibbs Street Stage. Make sure to stop by if you’re nearby and cheer these young people on (and their music teachers, Mrs. Cole and Mr. Lindblom!)

A food truck rodeo and vendor fair being held on Tuesday, June 21 will benefit our Webster Girl Scouts and the great programs they offer.

The rodeo will be held at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on June 21, and feature:

  • Bay Vista Taqueria
  • Mrs. D’s Empanadas
  • Pub 235
  • Rob’s Sweet Tooth
  • Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza

Tons of vendors will also be there (check out the poster for that list), community agencies will have information booths, and live entertainment will be provided by Brian Roode. Make sure to bring some lawn chairs.

Sounds like good food, good music, and a fabulous way to help the Girl Scouts (they do so much more than sell cookies)!

This happy news, from the Webster School District, is another great illustration of all of the good things our young people are doing for our community.

The students of Spry Middle School recently presented a check for $2,107.76 to officials from Challenger Miracle Field, representing donations received through several Spirit Week events.

The Spry Student Council chooses a charity every year to benefit from various Spirit Week competitions. This year they hosted jar wars (a competition to collect loose change), restaurant nights at Panera and Bill Gray’s, and as a culminating activity, a kickball game.

The kickball game was played several weeks ago at Miracle Field itself. The game blended Spry students with Challenger players on each of Spry’s house teams. Following the game, the coveted Spirit Stick was presented to the White House team, which earned the most points from all of the week’s events.

Admission to the kickball game and concessions, added to the week’s earlier fundraising efforts, drove the final Challenger Miracle Field donation total to more than than $2,100.

And that was in just one week. Pretty cool. Nice job, Spry!

The Village of Webster’s Family Game Nights are Back!

The first Family Games & Beer Garden Night of the summer is scheduled for Friday June 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. on West Main St. There’s going to be tons for the kids (and game-loving adults) to do, including sidewalk chalk, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four and cornhole. Chad the DJ will provide music, and Kaitlyn from TozziYoga will be there to get everyone moving.

Plus, there’s beer. Did I mention that?

For more information about this and other upcoming village events, like the Movie Nights at the Gazebo, the next Village Wine Walk, Friday Night Concerts and more, visit the Webster BID website.

Don’t forget about this Sunday’s West Webster Cemetery Tour, your chance to learn more about West Webster history, and some of the people who lived there … and are buried there.

On Sunday June 19, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Webster Museum will host an historical tour of the West Webster Cemetery, featuring a dozen reenactors portraying many of the former residents who now rest there. The characters will be hanging out by their gravestones, awaiting visitors to wander by and hear their stories.

I’ll be there, portraying Martha Cottreall, who died in 1934 at the age of 72. I’ll talk about my life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and especially about the accomplishments of my husband — who participated in a famous Arctic rescue operation — and son, who fought in WWI.

Tour visitors will also hear from Angelina Aldridge (wife of John O. Aldridge), Ebenezer Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Drake, and Sylvester Brewer (who will talk about the Civil War and the Army of the Grand Republic), and many others.

It should be a fascinating way to learn more about our town’s oldest cemetery, and to hear some of the memories of West Webster’s past, spoken by voices of the present.

There’s no charge to attend the event, but donations are always gratefully accepted. Attendees are being asked to park at St. Rita’s Church, across Maple Dr. from the cemetery. NO PARKING signs will be posted along Old Ridge Rd. and Maple Dr.

If you’d like to learn more about the cemetery before Sunday’s tour, you’re invited to attend a presentation at the museum on Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. when Peter Elder will talk about the cemetery’s history.

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/17/2022)

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Elementary schools welcome back the class of 2022

16 Jun

Earlier this week, in each of Webster’s elementary schools, a celebration took place which has always been one of my favorite end-of-school-year festivities: the graduate parade. This is an annual (non-COVID-year) event when our Webster Thomas and Schroeder seniors hop on buses and go back to visit the elementary schools where they began their Webster Schools career.

It was June of 2015 when most of these seniors last walked the halls of their elementary schools. But this week, as the class of 2022, they walked proudly through them again, and judging from the reaction of the young students who lined the halls in welcome, you’d think they were conquering heroes.

Nodding to the fact that it’s sometimes difficult to recognize these tall, mature adults for the freckle-faced young people they once were, each senior wore a sign with his or her name and post-graduation plans. As they paraded down one hall, then another, they passed hundreds of cheering and applauding kindergarten through fifth grade students. Every so often the parade was slowed when a graduate stopped to take a photo or get a long hug from a favorite teacher.

I was one of many retirees invited back to enjoy the parade of Webster Schroeder seniors at Plank Rd. North. I started working there after these kids had already gone on to middle school. But it was a real treat to see the joy on the teachers’ faces as their former students paraded by. It was especially fun to watch their eyes light up as they put a name to a face they hadn’t seen in seven years.

And the seniors? Every single one of them was grinning from ear to ear.

What a wonderful way to celebrate our seniors, congratulate them on their success, and remind them how much they have accomplished.

Here are some more photos from the morning:

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/16/2022)

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Explore a secret garden this weekend

2 May

The Webster Schroeder Theater Company invites the community to discover a little bit of magic this weekend, and explore The Secret Garden, a charming musical the whole family will love.

In this upbeat adaptation of the literary classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a young girl is sent to live in England after her parents die in India. Her new home, Misselthwaite Manor, turns out to be a gloomy fortress. However, she discovers a strange walled garden that has been locked up for years. With the gardener’s apprentice — who can talk to the animals — she coaxes the garden back to life, and discovers it has a wonderful, magical effect on all who come into it.

An uplifting musical score adds to the delightful story line, making it a production that’s perfect for the entire family.

The Secret Garden will be presented in two performances, Friday and Saturday May 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors, $10 for all others. Click here for tickets.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 5/3/2022)

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Community Arts Day returns!

3 Apr

As soon as I saw the news that Community Arts Day is returning this coming weekend, I knew that life is finally getting back to normal. This year’s event is going to be especially sweet since it’s the first one we’ve had in three years.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. This very family-friendly festival, which is marking its 45th year, showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. (Below are a few examples of the artwork from previous years. Click here for a full gallery from 2019.)

Dozens of activities are planned throughout the day, including art displays, carnival games, crafts, community group exhibits and more. Webster student groups will present musical performances throughout the day, and the Webster’s Got Talent talent show will feature aspiring student singers, musicians, and dancers from 12 to 1 pm. Community performing groups will fill out the schedule of events, and all the performances are free.

Admission to Community Arts Day is free. Proceeds from concessions, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District.  

A whole schedule of events and map of exhibitors have already been posted to the Community Arts Day Facebook page. Check it out to keep tabs on the latest updates!

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@missyblog)

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