The Village Focus
Webster Herald
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
by Carol Klem
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Village gives museum wings - and ownership of building
At a recent Village Board meeting, the title of the museum was relinquished by the Village and handed over to the Webster Museum and Historical Society for posterity. This transaction made history and that is what the museum is about – history.
“It WAS a significant event for us,” said Director Carol Saylor, a dedicated museum supporter who has helped champion the transaction.
“All things come to those who wait”, was becoming their creed. The museum people remained tolerant, although anxious, through the paper work, discussions, signatures and approvals that covered several years.
“As to our plans for the building, we have many ideas and dreams and even a few sketchy plans,” Carol said. “Now that we really do own the property we are getting to work, putting pen to paper and seeking the actual, rather than estimated cost figures that we need to make decisions, remembering that our “Mission” is to share Webster's history,”
Carol, like all members, hopes that the community remembers “that we are an all volunteer organization and that we do not want to launch a poorly planned or unrealistic project. The Webster Community has been very generous and we plan to continue to use our assets wisely”, she said.
“There are so many options for the museum” she said, “and we need to be careful in selecting the best ones.”
“I must admit excitement and great enthusiasm,” she added.
“For the Village it is a bittersweet moment,” said Village trustee, Peter Elder. “At one stroke, we relinquish control over a structure that we have maintained and looked after for many years; on the other, we foster a re-birth as it enters into its own, as the integral building - the centerpiece – for the wonderful people who make up the Webster Museum and Historical Society. It is a gain for our community as this organization, whose roots run about 40 years deep in this community, becomes fully independent. We planted a seed way back then. Now it blooms.”
According to historian Lynn Barton, the late Charles Basch built the building that is located at Lapham Park, between 1924 and 1926, adding, “It was his first big job as a mason, I’ve heard.” Its first occupant was Klick’s Garage. About 1953 the Village of Webster purchased the property and used it for storage and a garage. Later it was turned into “the Rec Center”.
In the mid-1980’s the museum needed more room and the village allowed them use of the building, Lynn said.
Now in April 2008, history was made again.
HISTORY AND A CUP SERIES - Today
The challenge of the Webster Museum is to record history - to recover the past and introduce it to the present. One of the most popular ways the museum is doing this is by the popular History and Cup Series.
Back by popular demand starting today, May 7, participants will enjoy memories shared by longtime residents, Fern Pellett and Dawn Ellstrom, both longtime teachers in Webster.
Each Wednesday in May, for one hour, from noon until 1 p.m. all are invited to come and enjoy a little nostalgia. Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.
Bring a sandwich – have coffee or tea on the museum. The guest at the May 14th History and a Cup Series is Dick Marchner. Tom Pellett and friend will “recall memories” on the 21st.
Stay tuned.
Another way to discover the museum’s comings and goings is to visit their wonderfully informative website (developed by Phil Marr) – www.webstermuseum.com
Legislator compliments Tom Smith with proclamation
Among the rewards, Carmen Gumina has discovered in his newly elected office as county legislator is the ability to give credit where credit is due, so to speak – to recognize someone who is outstanding in his or her community, and to single them out from the rest of us ordinary people.
Recently Carmen, who also is principal of State Road School, recognized village resident and former head of the BID, (Business Improvement District) Tom Smith of Smith Insurance, with a proclamation. For the past two years, Tom has worked tirelessly to raise the visibility and effectiveness of the BID, handled important BID issues and problems on a daily basis and inspired those around him to work hard.
“The guy is an inspiration to those of us who want to serve our community ... he is the epitome of selflessness and class,” Carm said. Carm added, “I was lucky enough to teach two of his boys in high school, and I get to work with his wife, Heidi each day at State Road. This is a family that embodies the values of what makes Webster a place where life is worth living.”
Congratulations Tom!
An idea (or two) for Mom for Mother’s Day
Hundreds of dads and kids will be running out to florists, gift shops, restaurants, department stores to find that perfect present for MOM. Good old Mom. Every Mom must have at least one very memorable Mothers Day - one she will never forget – ever. I know mine. One year (1966), I got an iron and a baby. Number 4 Child. And an iron. That’s the truth. I ask - who would forget that!
I (now do not take this personally Gene) would suggest that you do not buy your wife, a “tool of the trade” for any special day, especially the very same day she goes into labor.
Suggestions…visit any one of the shops in the village. Buy her flowers, a cake, a bike, a gift certificate at a salon or spa, but please not an iron.
I like Chip Arnold’s Jewelry on Main Street. All that glitters is not gold…it may be silver. Last week I saw beautifully handcrafted silver pieces, also some stunning pearls there…, and surely you knew “the pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens.” I believe that.
Besides jewelry is always nice. It takes your mind off your wrinkles.
Added note: Ladies, if you don’t get jewelry for Mother’s Day, or even if you do, Chip is paying cash for gold, silver, diamonds, coins, etc. If you have one lonely diamond earring, a ring that an old boyfriend gave you - or something that you simply do not wear anymore, trade it in. Then buy your own pearls.
Happy Birthday Thelma
It is said about Aging - that eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Longtime village resident Thelma Vandermallie celebrated her 84th birthday Tuesday…but the parties lingered on. She is an inspiration (a role model) to all of us who want to be active, mentally stimulating and involved, as we try to age gracefully though the decades. Although she referred to herself as the drug-store beauty because she takes a lot of pills, Thelma credits her “good farm beginning” to her good health – And at this point she claims she can pamper herself anyway she wants…and we all hope she does as she begins her 85th year.
Congratulations Dennis Vendel Jr.
Working hard…doing his best, devotion to his sport…put Dennis Vendel Jr., a ninth grader at Marion High School exactly where he wanted to be. Recently his most ardent wish came true when he signed with the Maksymum Junior Hockey program, American Conference, Western Division. Dennis is the son of Dennis and Kathy (proudest Village Clerk in Monroe County) Vendel. . “Of course he is thrilled to make the team,” his mother said.
Dennis has been playing hockey since he was 7 years old and for the past year has been working with a trainer and hockey coach to make this team. “This is his dream come true,” Kathy said.
Grandparents are Betty Vendel of Webster and Harold and Pat Suhr of Walworth, NY. Dennis is also the grandson of the late Bill Vendel.
Time for Baptist Lasagna
”There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” - George Bernard Shaw.
It seems as we age, food becomes much more significant in our lives. Everything, at least our social lives sadly seem to revolve around it.
Did you know that researchers claim pasta to be a Chinese invention that was brought to Italy by Marco Polo after his famous trip to the Middle Kingdom in the 13th century? There is no doubt that Italian cooks changed it to what we know as the nourishing and versatile food that we know today. But what Alfred Hitchcock was to suspense, what Einstein was to physics, what Lucy was to comedy, what Edward G. Robinson was to dying like a dirty rat, the Webster Baptists are to lasagna.
On Saturday, May 17 from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. The Baptists will be serving their well-known lasagna with all the trimmings. Prices are adults; $8; children, 12 and under, $4. For information or reservations please call the church office 265-9480 or Sabra and John Clapp, 671-4158. Part of the proceeds will go toward supporting the young people attending the American Baptist Youth Conference in Colorado in July.
