The Village Focus
Webster Herald
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
by Carol Klem
CLICK HERE FOR EARLIER COLUMNS
May is National Preservation Month. This year’s theme is “Celebrating America’s Treasures.”
Throughout our nation’s communities, including Webster, there are significant places that have contributed to our American experience – be it a battlefield, a ship, a church, park, or a home.
In fact throughout Webster and our village there are significant buildings and homes that we might call architectural treasures.
In celebration, we (the community) have been issued an invitation to attend a special event to be held at the Village of Webster’s Community Meeting Room on Tuesday evening May 3, 2001 at 7:30 p.m.
The Webster Village Preservation Commission has invited the renowned authority on western New York architecture, the architectural research coordinator for the Landmark Society, Cynthia Howk to speak.
She will address all who are interested in preserving our heritage.
Mayor Peter Elder will act as emcee and Karl Laurer, president of the Village Preservation Commission will also be on hand to field questions. Cynthia Howk however will be the star of the show. She will discuss the benefits and grant opportunities for a listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Believe it or not, any property in the town or the village that is more than 50 years old may qualify for this honor.
“She is wonderfully passionate about preservation,” said Maryjean Yengo, a member of the preservation commission. She will show slides and we will have the opportunity to ask questions. We will leave a little smarter …and that’s a good thing.
Plan on staying for cookies, a beverage and stimulating conversation.
Speaking of our roots
As we “Celebrate America’s Treasures” this month ….I cannot help but think that our treasures here in Webster are not only found in our old buildings and homes. Our history was not created merely by builders and architects but by farmers and farms, farm houses and barns that dotted our rural landscape. When we talk about our heritage – our roots- so to speak, we must think of our farms.
The Webster Museum has been presenting a marvelous series for their “History and a Cup” program this season. They have been celebrating Webster’s farms and farmers – hearing and recording their story.
On Wednesday, May 4, Don and Judy Herman, owners of Herman’s Farm Market on Five Mile Line Road, will take the stand. Don’s story is an interesting one…how he grew up on the family farm – the ins and outs and the ups and downs of the family farm– and his decision to become a farmer.
Perhaps Judy who came to Webster as a teenager will fill us in on life as a farmer’s wife, partner and running the well-known popular market. Everyone is invited…bring your lunch, get in on the conversation. It begins at noon at the museum at Lapham Park in the village.
Saying good-bye to Arethea VerDow
Arethea VerDow was a noted gardener. “She won more blue ribbons and “Best of Shows” than any of us can remember,” her daughter, Nancy Elliot said. She loved showing them at the Wayne County Fair, Nancy said, and looked forward to that event every year. She and her husband Chester also enjoyed selling their beautiful flowers and homemade jams of every variety imaginable, at the Webster Farmer’s Market.
Arethea died March 20, 2011 at her Williamson home. She was 86. She will be missed by all.
Fashion and Food in our future – for WCCH
You and I know…it is all about good taste.
Good taste in food, good taste in fashion and that is exactly what you will get at one of my favorite events of the season. The Webster Comfort Care Fashion Show, “Spring Fling” will be celebrating their fifth year with this event. It is a well-known fact, ladies, that it is always a sell-out crowd. So if you are considering going…act quickly.
A little info:
This year’s event will take place at the Penfield County Club, 1784 Jackson Road.
The $27 ticket includes a choice of three wonderful selections; chicken and mushroom crepes, potato crusted tilapia with lobster sauce, or sliced roast beef au jus.
It’s great to see what is in fashion for summer of 2011- and this year, once again, fashions’ will be by the Dress Barn.
Reservations are required and may be made by calling Mary Ann Kotary at 872-6568 or visit webstercomfortcare.org.
Oh dear!!!!
It has been a while since anything other than dogs and cats (and squirrels, of course) have been spotted in the village. However not long ago, Dick Prinzing of South Avenue, sober as a judge, looked out one morning and spotted seven young deer hoppin’ around and having the finest time. I imagine he thought he was in a Disney movie or at Yellowstone National Park, as deer simply do not frequent the village. It isn’t as though they don’t like us…but they have to jump fences and deal with cross walks and signal lights. “But there they were,” Dick said. He suggested they came from the woods behind the school……something I don’t want hunters to know about, so don’t tell.
Village Caterer involved in Legion’s 90-th birthday bash
Greg Cody wears a number of hats. We in Webster Village know him primarily as the owner and operator of Brimont Catering, that wonderful little culinary kitchen where you can get a sandwich, a plate of great food, or have a meal catered for hundreds of people.
There, as a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he wears a chef’s hat. But after hours you may find his head covered with an American Legion cap or a motorcycle helmet. After a four-year stint in the US Navy, he is active in the Cottreall Warner American Legion Post as vice-commander and president of the Legion Riders. These riders sponsor or participate in local charity events, raise money for organizations such as VA Hospitals, Battered Women and Children's Center, Varied Children and Youth programs, a School for Blind Children, Veterans Relief, needy families and many, many others.
As an admirer of his cuisine I find myself in his little kitchen where he is often tooting the Legion’s horn, singing its praises and causing people like me to sit up and take notice. But that’s what he wants.
“We want people to sit up and take note of all the things the Post is doing for the community and for veterans,” he said. It appears that what goes on in that house, stays in that house…and it should be shouted from the rooftops. The post sponsors a boy scout troop, a baseball team, sends a boy to Boys State, is involved in the Soap Box Derby ( last years contestant won), runs a sports shooting program, and definitely supports our servicemen and women, veterans, and those in veterans hospitals.
And so on Sunday, May 15 the Cottrell-Warner Post No. 942 will be celebrating their 90th birthday with a party for everyone at their post home at Ridge Road at the corner of Five-Mile Line Road.
“The activities will be family oriented,” Greg said. “Bring your children and grandkids. We will have live music, a clown, face painting and a bounce house”.
It sounds like fun. Admission is open to all and is free, go early and enjoy the music and activities. The resident chef Greg is in charge- although this kind of party calls for picnic fare – not scampi grilled fresh Maine lobster.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and other foods and beverages will be available for purchase.
Once again…the event is May 15, from noon to 6:00 p.m. depending on the weather and turnout.
The Chorus of the Genesee Offers ENTERTAINMENT
“Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything can go....
The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!”
From ( not me) the 1980’s show…”That’s entertainment”-
And that’s great but ….If you are looking to be entertained in the good old fashioned barbershop quartet manner look no further than our own Championship Chorus of the Genesee, whose home is on Main Street in our fair village. The chorus wil be presenting its 58th Annual Barbershop Show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at Penfield High School.
The evening of a cappella harmony in the one and only barbershop harmony will be a Star Spangled Celebration in Song "A NIGHT FOR THE TROOPS".
Special guest quartets will include "Mainstream" and "Fusion". Tickets are $15.00 and can be obtained by calling (585) 385-2698 or (585) 385-2499.
Museum Fundraiser at Uno’s
Today, Wednesday April 27, a fund raising effort to benefit the Webster Museum is happening at Uno’s Chicago Grill. Eat at Uno’s and 20 percent of your bill (not including tax or gratuity) will go to the museum. Everybody wins. We win… (Great food and no need to cook). We drum up a little business for Uno’s who are so gracious to the community and the museum can make some bucks.
Go to www.webstermuseum.com for a coupon.
