The Village Focus
Webster Herald
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
by Carol Klem
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Some things never change and when it does it comes as a shocker.
For instance, for years, many years…Can’t remember its beginning - even when I was working for the “other paper”, my ‘man - in –the- know’, at the Chorus of the Genesee, -was Jack Thomas. When we wanted to know ANYTHING about the Chorus, when we needed information about one of their shows, or one of their benevolent performances, who did we call? NO, not Ghostbusters, we called Jack.
There probably wasn’t a publication that didn’t hear from him regularly.
Recently Jack retired from this volunteer job and he will be missed by all the media. He handed the phone, the email lists, all his contacts to someone many of us know.
That someone is Tuck Wilson. Again, a perfect fit. Tuck was part of that huge Wilson family that grew up on Sherwood Avenue. I believe he was the second son of Mary and the late Bob Wilson. He attended Holy Trinity School and was a member of the Webster High School Class of 1962.
Many Webster people know Tuck as the former owner and operator of the Webster Liquor Store that was located next to Wegmans, probably a couple of decades ago. What many may not know about Tuck is that he is, a skilled Corn Beef chef, a whiz of a wine connoisseur and that he loves to sing. Always has. “I loved singing at Holy Trinity Church and now I sing in the front pew at St. Joe’s,” (in Penfield) he said. According to Tuck, he sits in the front so he doesn’t sing smack dab in somebody’s ear.
So when his brother Bob called and suggested he join him at the Chorus of the Genesee, he thought he would give it a try. “Everybody was so nice to me,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. I thought sooner or later the honeymoon would be over – but it’s not. There is sort of a good natured rivalry there – it’s really fun.”
Tuck sings baritone at home, in the shower, in the car, everywhere - but has the most fun singing in Webster Village at the Harmony House and with the Chorus of the Genesee.
And because he is the official chorus pusher, he is presently and pleasantly pushing their latest endeavor in hopes that their next event is eventful and saves many men from the menacing ‘St. Valentine’s Day Massacre’….at least that is what he calls it.
He is doing this for men because he thinks he knows women.
They “expect Valentine’s Day to be a celebration of sharing, loving and thanksgiving”, he said.
His advice to the brotherhood is: “Face it, men, for us it’s a minefield of misread calendars, squandered opportunities and bad decisions. Take it from one who has carried anvils of second-guessing, retribution and guilt from the NFL Playoffs past March Madness. Face it, on Valentine’s Day THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES.” You have to get the right gift the first time.”
His suggestion - the perfect gift: A Singing Valentine!
With a call to (585) 747-9352 and $40 you can eliminate all your stress and uncertainty. A trained quartet arrives at home or work or that special restaurant (or sports bar), sings her some tried-and-true love songs, and delivers your personalized Valentine card (We can even write it!) and a long stemmed rose! “Believe me, this is a SLAM DUNK!” he promises. Singing Valentines are being delivered in Monroe County from February 11 through Valentine’s Day (and If you can’t remember, Valentine’s Day - it’s Feb. 14).
Toyland at Museum
Okay, I admit, I am a Webster Museum pusher. I never drop in there without seeing something I have never seen before. This month’s exhibits are great and especially fun for children – children who have no idea how to live without blue ray, iPods, computer games, Wii, etc. However, the child in all of us will love to see the exhibit named “Toys on Parade”.
We usually do not think of toys as much more than playthings. BUT they help children develop different skills; teach us to play alone, to share with each other, and they help all of us understand history. Old toys, made by skilled crafts people can tell us about life in the past.
You will enjoy seeing the toys of yesteryear, but in particular, you will enjoy the doll houses. One of these spectacular doll houses was made by Joyce Rice's late grandfather, Lloyd Knife who lived in Pennsylvania. A part of the Pennsylvania Dutch settlement, he hand-crafted this ‘arts and crafts’ style house in 1903 along with all the handmade furniture It was a gift of love for his daughter Marion.
Sue Spear also donated her house that was built in the late 1930s for her mother, Joan LaForce Durkin. Sue played with this doll house as well as her daughters Lorraine and Veronica Spear. Included with the house are three sets of doll furniture which reflect the style of each generation that enjoyed it.
Stop by and see all the wonderful toys on parade. Children are invited to play with many of them.
Post Script: While you are there, note the collection of Kodak cameras. Surely this display is more meaningful today than ever with recent developments at Kodak. The museum has a marvelous collection which will leave many of us who used film and was brought up with these cameras feeling nostalgic about the company’s impact on the history of photography. It’s sad - Kodak captured your memories…the Webster Museum preserves them.
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village. They’re open Thursday and Saturday from 2-4:30, and offer guided tours upon request. They’re handicap-accessible, and there’s no admission charge, but donations are always gratefully accepted. Call 265-3308 for more information.
New and Improved Webster Gourmet
There are a few things we half -way intelligent people know… like –
1. Falling in love is wonderful (or so they say)
2. Warm showers are better that hot -
3. Fresh produce is best –
4 The importance of sunscreen –
5. Laughing for no reason at all doesn’t mean you are crazy.
Walter Scott has learned that realtors and people- in –the- know, were right when they said- “the most important thing in real-estate, whether renting or buying, is truly location, location, location.”
The first of this year Walter picked up his stock, and moved his store, Webster Gourmet, to a new location at 32 West Main Street. His business has tripled, he said. He calls it “new, inspired and departmentalized”. I would say “new, inspired, departmentalized and fragrant.” I noted immediately the herbal fragrance which was wonderful …stimulating. Then I observed the natural wooden floors and the larger space. But the best was the new stock additions such as soup mixes and pasta sauces and some interesting slow-cooker dinners, excited this wannabe Paula Deane.
We enjoyed a cup of gourmet tea while checking out the merchandise. I had a green Chinese flower tea - enjoyed the flavor the aroma and sipped just enough caffeine to keep this old gal gently stimulated and able to buzz about my day. Walter enjoyed a white, delicate, soft, “lady-like” tea… and I know because I tested it. BUT – lady-like? Walter?
Having a brunch? You will find great breakfast mixes that looked pretty darn healthy to me as well as delicious. Jams, jellies, cereals, pancake mixes and real maple syrup are available …along with recipe ideas.
I also found a terrific turkey sandwich idea - replacing the mayo with chutney, and brie or bleu cheese, along with thin slices of green apple on crusty bread. (I should never write this when I am hungry.)
If you’d like to make the “perfect” chocolate martini – see Walter.
If you would like glutton-free baking mixes, soup mixes, etc. – see Walter.
If you are looking for Pasta, sauces, mixes…see Walter.
If you like cocktail foods, nuts and garlics – see Walter.
“We have everything from soup to nuts - and I’ve been accused of being a little nuts once in a while,” he admitted (It takes one to know one – part of his charm)
I came home with some wild mushroom linguine. I plan on making a pesto sauce with shrimp and a green salad and cannot wait to try it out on Gene with a bottle of Pinot Grigio.
Walter is a Navy retiree who spent 26 years in all in the service of our country. Now he is having fun operating Webster Gourmet. “This keeps me busy – it’s fun and it gives me a purpose,” he said. He likes having a nice friendly job – and feels that he is doing things for people. If “I can’t have a job like Fritz (Sierk) – I’ll take this one,” he said. (Fritz owns and operates the Coach, also on Main Street.)
Deo Gratias
Jack and Mary Grace Thomas probably have just returned from a wonderful celebration in St. Louis, Illinois. Their son Bill was recently ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church. He is the associate pastor at the Concord Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Illinois.
Congratulations.
