Webster Commons speed limit decision ‘a long haul’ 

The town’s decision whether to install new speed limit signs in Webster Commons has been stalled because the state has not addressed legislation that could affect what happens there.

The Town Board was supposed to make a decision on whether to finish installing the signs — the posts have been up since January — on May 15 but that has been rescheduled for June.

The original decision was supposed to come in March, but town officials wanted to see if home-rule legislation — which would automatically reduce the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour in residential neighborhoods across the state — passed.

A holdup at the state level caused the meeting’s postponement, said Webster Supervisor Ronald Nesbitt. “I postponed it last week because the state budget was a month behind and they have yet to get into the home rule laws,” Nesbitt said. “They’re still in session and they do those at the end.”

Last November, town officials agreed to post the signs reducing the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25. When the weather broke in January, town crews began installing the posts for the signs and residents complained there were too many.

By law and zoning specifications, 22 signs would need to be erected in the Commons area and 18 along the thoroughfare between Summit Knolls and Jackson Road. Each sign costs $125, which means taxpayers would pay ultimately $5,000.

If you go The Webster Town Board meeting on the speed limit reduction has been postponed. WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19 WHERE: Webster Town Hall, 1000 Ridge Road

When area residents realized how many signs would need to go up, many complained. If the home-rule law is passed, fewer signs would have to be needed because the town would only have to place a sign at the entrance to the subdivision, rather than after each intersection or every couple of feet.

Last year, 115 people signed a petition in support of reducing the speed limit. The petition stated residents may have a sign placed on their property, said Richard Cognetti, a resident of Cranbrook Terrace.

But, now people are putting aesthetics over safety, he said.

“It’s become a sign issue and it really should be a safety issue,” he said. “The Town Board should be voting on safety and not signs.”

When Cognetti and others go for walks through the neighborhood, speeding vehicles are a danger because there are no sidewalks, he said. All walking and biking has to be done in the road.

“Even 30 is too fast for a residential street where we have seniors (and) some children,” he said.

Police officers studied Webster Commons and its neighboring streets and found speeding to be a slight problem. Along Webster Commons and Harmony Station, 80 percent of motorists drove below the speed limit. About 17 percent drove between 30 and 35 miles per hour and the remaining three percent drove faster than that, the study found.

Cognetti doesn’t understand what the town’s intentions are. Why did the town leave the posts up with no signs?

“It doesn’t make sense,” he said. “They’ve been up there since January. It’s been a long haul. It’s frustrating.”

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com.

May 13, 2008, 4:38 am

Serendipity — and a pizza — led to young musician’s good luck 

Looking back, it seems like a crazy twist of fate when one disappointing afternoon turned purely serendipitous for the Nicolosi family.

About two years ago, father-and-son musicians Sam and Ted Nicolosi, whose band is called SharedGENES, had a gig canceled. But on their way home, they stumbled into a café and history was made.

Well, not at that exact moment, but it certainly led up to it.

On their way home from the canceled show, they stopped to order a pizza. While waiting, they sat inside the Mona Lisa Café on Ridge Road strumming their guitars. Surprisingly, they were asked to play at the eatery on a regular basis and they agreed. And the gig had fringe benefits.

“People gave us stuff every once in a while,” Sam said.

On one occasion, the Nicolosis were given a CD of an artist they’d never heard of — guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, an Australian native.

Immediately, Ted Nicolosi, 16, fell in love. Since then, the pair have attended local Tommy Emmanuel concerts. Ted began playing some of Emmanuel’s music, in addition to the music by British instrumental band Acoustic Alchemy the pair already played.

Fast facts The Nicolosis’ band, SharedGENES, will play live this week in Pittsford. WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 WHERE: Tastings Restaurant, 3195 Monroe Ave., next to Wegmans MORE INFO: Call (585) 381-1881

Emmanuel quickly turned into Ted’s idol — someone he wanted to meet someday.
“The first time you hear him, you’re just inspired by his true skill,” Ted said.
On Wednesday, Ted’s dream was realized.

Ted not only met his hero, but he got the chance most musicians never get — to play live for his idol at the German House in Rochester.

“To be able to play, it was really humbling,” Ted said. “You’ve got somebody that good, yet he still makes time for the local musicians.”

Ted began writing his own music last year, so he played two of his own songs called “April Morning” and “Walnut Hill.”

After, Emmanuel played his own music in front of a crowd of about 400 people.
The Nicolosis have routinely played on several area radio stations.

Earlier last month, Emmanuel’s manager heard some of the Nicolosis’ work when she streamed a local station’s Web site.

“They heard it and that’s when we got the green light (to meet Emmanuel),” Sam said.
Ted, a sophomore at McQuaid Jesuit in Brighton, would like to pursue music as a career. He has won two first place designations and one second place spot in McQuaid’s talent show the last two years.

But, he has a backup plan — he also wants to be an architect.

“There’s so many musicians that get lost in the flow,” Ted said.

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com.

May 13, 2008, 3:13 am

New life in an old vacant building in Webster 

An old building in town has begun servicing the people of Webster again.

The former West Webster Fire Hall at the southeast corner of Gravel and Ridge roads opened Monday as an eye doctor’s office.

The doctors with Visionary Eye Associates are no strangers to Webster, though. They once operated from the building across the street after George Bisnett retired in 2001, said Jane Beeman, the practice director.

They bought their new building last August. Then, they closed the old office across the street and consolidated it with their operation in Brighton until the new office was ready.

If you go Visionary Eye Associates moved into its new office this week and will be holding its open house this Saturday. WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 WHERE: 603 Ridge Road at the corner of Gravel Road MORE INFO: Call (585) 671-3300 or visit www.visionsource-depaolisandryan.com.

Their new office dates back to the 1870s when it opened as one of Webster’s first grocery stores, Beeman said. It also once served as the post office for West Webster.
According to Webster Historian Lynn Barton, the grocery and post office closed in 1925.

“The West Webster Fire Department took it over in 1933,” Beeman said.

The interior of the 5,500-square-foot building has been completely remodeled. Though now modern, the employees of Visionary wanted to maintain what history they could.
Upstairs, the floors are solid hardwood. The kitchen is outfitted with the original tin ceiling and the cupboards are circa the early 1900s.

Beeman said she hopes to display old photos of the old grocery and fire hall. She is also going to ask the fire department for a firefighter’s hat so she can display that as well.

“I wanted to pay some homage to the fire department,” Beeman said.

The firefighters moved to a location across the street in 1966, Beeman said. Since then, the old building has sat empty, though the firefighters continued to take care of it.
“They’ve got a lot of vested interest in this,” Beeman said.

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com.

May 12, 2008, 7:21 am

Monroe County Democrats announce clerk candidate 

Monroe County Democrats have announced that Webster native Tom Hasman will be their candidate for county clerk in this fall's election.
Hasman, of Rochester, grew up in Webster. He currently works for SRA International Inc.specializing in computer systems and records protection from cyber threats.

May 9, 2008, 7:19 am

Webster Bulletin Board 

Friday, May 9
The Castle Art Group will hold a show and sale on May 9 through May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rochester Civic Garden center, 15 Castle Park (corner Mt. Hope Ave. and Reservoir Ave.) Free.

Saturday, May 10
Holy Cross Anglican Church, 615 Bay Road in Webster, Will hold a Traditional English High Tea in honor of all mothers, featuring scones, sandwiches and many other delicious desserts and treats on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Serving will be between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. and everyone is invited to come and bring their mom, mother-in-law, grandmother or special friend. Reservations are not required and tickets are $6, payable at the door. There will also be a plant sale at the church at the same time.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield’s Family Fun Day will be held Saturday, May 10 from 12 noon - 5 p.m. at 1862 Penfield Road (Route 441), Heritage Park and First Baptist Church Grounds. Parking will be at the Charles Finney School, 2070 Five Mile Line Road. Handicapped parking only at the church. All kinds of events, raffles, and fun! For more information, visit www.fbpenfield.org or call the church office at (585) 586-2876.

The Rochester Celiac Support Group has set the goal of raising $35,000 through corporate and private donations to the 7th Annual Walk for Celiac Disease to be held in Perinton Park. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to register or make a donation, visit www.rochesterceliacs.org.

There will be a benefit concert at 2 p.m. at Calvary St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Parish, 95 Averill Avenue in Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood to Celebrate Support of Autism. This is an opportunity for parents, children, families and friends to gather for fun and fellowship and to build a stronger community of diversity and understanding. $10 adults, $4 students and children 12 and under. For more information, visit www.calvarystandrews.org or call 325-4895.

The Chorus of the Genesee presents “You’ll Never Go Wrong with a Song,” at 7:30 p.m. at Pittsford Mendon High School’s auditorium, 472 Mendon Road. The program of barbershop harmony will feature Reveille, from New York City, and Fusion of Harmony, Inc., a woman’s quartet from Rochester. Tickets are $15 for adults and are available at all Rochester area Wegmans and by calling (585) 265-9540, 734-0578, or (800) 777-2007. You can also e-mail tickets@chorusofthegenesee.org. For more information, visit www.chorusofthegenesee.org.

The Rochester Dahlia Society will have their Plant and tuber sale from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at the Webster Arboretum, Schlegel Road, Webster.  There will be Dahlias plants in many sizes, forms and colors and tubers at reasonable prices.  These sales help fund the plantings at the Webster Arboretum Dahlia Garden and a Dahlia Flower Show September 13, 2008 at Perinton Square Mall.  For further information, please call Joyce Hollander, 671-3281.

Sunday, May 11
The Crescent Trail Wildflowers Program will be from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the White Brook Nature Area, Aldrich Road in Perinton. Indoor talk and slideshow by Chris Benard, then outdoor trail walk, sponsored by Crescent Trail Association - (585) 234-1621. Free. Public welcome. No advance registration. www.perinton.org/events.

The ladies at Crossroads Community Church would like you to join them for a Ladies’ Night Out: “Reflections: Inside and Out” on Friday evening, May 16th from 6:30 - 9-ish p.m. at the Crossroads Community Church, corner of Jackson and State Roads in Webster. Reservations are required by today, May 11th. Call 872-2660 to reserve your spot!

Monday, May 12
Empire State College of the State University of New York will hold public information sessions about its undergraduate degree programs at 7:30 p.m. at its Genesee Valley Center, 1475 Winton Road North, Rochester. Call (800) 847-3000 for reservations.

Rochester Children’s Theatre announces auditions for actors 16 years and older for its professional production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, in performance at Nazareth College August 2, 3, 9 & 10. Auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday, May 12 & 13, at 6 p.m. (call-backs are Wednesday, May 14) at Nazareth College. Call (585) 385-0510 to schedule an appointment. Prepare two 32-bar song excerpts (one ballad and one up-tempo) and an upbeat one-minute monologue. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, June 25. Please visit www.rochesterchildrenstheatre.org for more info.

The Penfield Chamber of Commerce, together with the AAA office in Penfield, will host a Networking After Business event at the AAA Office on Route 441 (2156 Penfield Road) opposite Wegmans. It runs from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and is open to chamber members, their guests, and the general business community. Members of the Webster Chamber of Commerce are also invited to attend. Free, and reservations are not required. Details can be found at www.PenfieldChamber.org.

Tuesday, May 13
The Webster Public Library will host a Drop-In Family Storytime from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. for all ages accompanied by an adult. No registration needed. They will also hold a Library Club at 6 p.m. for grades 3-6. Registration is required for Library Club. For additional information or to register, call 872-7075 or log on to www.websterlibrary.org.

Around the Area
Children’s Institute and Nazareth College Center for Play Therapy in the School of Health and Human services are pleased to co-sponsor the Summer Play Therapy Institute, June 9-10, 2008 on the Nazareth College campus. Registration is now open and individuals are encouraged to register early. The registration form and materials are available online at www.childrensinstitute.net/courses or by calling Stephanie Fernandez at 1-877-888-7647, ext. 231. Nazareth College is located at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester.

May 8, 2008, 9:55 am

Webster Death Notices 

Chester F. Wilson, Jr.
Chester F. Wilson, Jr. “Chet”, age 72 of Ontario, died on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at his residence.

Chet was born on September 10, 1935 to Chester & Viola Jesse Wilson in Clyde. Chet earned his bachelor's degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He worked on several military programs for years (some requiring government clearances) and then at Xerox Corp for approximately 20 years.  In the 1980s Chet wrote and sold computer software for medical/dental labs, income tax software for tax preparers and prepared income taxes for 10 years.

A member of Presbyterian Church of Williamson, he was a former 20 year member of Palmyra Presbyterian Church. In his leisure time, Chet enjoyed canoeing, powerboating, camping and traveling.  He also played the ukulele and Hammond organ.

Chet was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Lou, and second wife, Sheila; parents, Chester & Viola Wilson, and sister, Eugenia Martin.  He leaves his special friend, Olga from Khabaravosk, Russia; 3 children, Joni Cooley, Cindy Wilson and John Wilson; 3 step-children, Robert (Denise) Centro, Kathryn Spade (Daniel McCullough) and Daniel Centro; grandchildren, John J. Wilson, Jr., Abbey and Morgan Cooley, Adam and Kira Lee Centro, Samantha and Jessica Spade; sister Janet (Victor) Elston; sister-in-law, Patricia (Herbert) Riley; nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Friends were received on Wednesday at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home. A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Presbyterian Church of Williamson with
the Rev. Kirk Baker officiating. Interment was at White Haven Memorial Park. Memorials may be directed to Pines of Peace Comfort Care Home, 2378 Ridge Road, Ontario, NY 14519.

Raymond E. Jenis
Raymond E. Jenis of Webster, died on Monday, March 31, 2008, at the age of 90.  He leaves his wife of 65 years and lifelong best friend, Viola “GooGoo” Jenis; sons, Michael (Sondra) and Stephen; daughters, Suzon (John) Spear and Cynthia Senko; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends. A founding member of St. Martin Lutheran Church, Webster, Raymond was a Sergeant in the Army Medical Corp during WWII, retiree of Eastman Kodak Co., and was still enjoying working summers at Creek Hill Apartments, where he put his carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills to good use.  He was a charter member of Outlet Rod & Gun Club.

A memorial service was held on Monday, April 7, 2008 at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Memorials may be directed to St. Martin Lutheran Church or Camp Good Days and Special Times. Arrangements by Willard H. Scott Funeral Home.

James A. Cerny
James A. Cerny, age 65 of Wolcott/Webster, died on Sunday, April 6, 2008. He leaves his daughter, Roxanne (Paul) Cerny-Landgren; grandchildren, Kassady & Andrew.

Services were at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements were by Willard H. Scott Funeral Home.

Anthony C. Callipare
Anthony C. Callipare passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Journey Home. He was 87 years old.

He is survived by his children, Rev. Joseph Callipare of Florida, Rosemary (Roger) Bachman, Phyllis DeFilipps. Philip (Mary Grace) Callipare; 8 grandchildren; sisters, Theresa Burge, Virginia (Ed) Luczko, Joanie Lester, Helen Zazzara and Arlene (Jim) Rielich; sisters-in-law, Kay (Ray) Dalle and Rosalie (Bill) McEvily; nieces and nephews.

Services were held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Greece. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Farrell-Ryan Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to Journey Home, 994 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626.

May 8, 2008, 9:46 am

Bringing down the house 

In the middle of an average middle-class neighborhood with neatly manicured lawns is what some call a mess.

The front lawn of 537 Vosburg Road is littered with empty bottles and broken flowerpots. An empty whisky bottle lays by the front stoop. And, the front picture window — the eye into the home — is broken and dressed with stained beige curtains, which are falling from the rod.

A peek inside reveals boxes and other various items piled chest high. The view into the home from the upstairs windows is obstructed by boxes piled to the ceiling.

It seems like someone may be moving in or out, but the Vosburg home is stagnant.

Two small red signs nailed to the front door warn that the electric has been shut off and the meters have been removed by Rochester Gas & Electric Corp. The door is locked and the doorbell is broken. The home’s owner, Aletta Dennis, has not been seen or heard from in three to five years. She apparently moved to a home on the Penfield-Pittsford border.

Now, Dennis will lose the Webster home.

Last Thursday, Webster’s Town Board approved crews from Frederico Construction and Demolition to tear down the vacant home. When it will happen is the next question.
“I don’t know an exact date at this point in time,” said Webster’s building inspector, Tom Pellett, but he said it should be within the next few weeks.

Town officials have attempted to contact Dennis, but have had no luck, said town Supervisor Ronald Nesbitt.

“She has been served with summonses on top of summonses,” he said. “She won’t respond.”

Dennis’ phone number is not listed in the phone book. A Webster Post reporter tried to reach Dennis in person and by U.S. mail but was unsuccessful.

The demolition is expected to cost $19,000. Since the home may contain asbestos, a company must be hired for about $1,200 to monitor the air while the home is torn down. The $20,200 tab will be added as a lien against the property, so if Dennis tries to sell the land, the balance will have to be paid, Nesbitt said.

According to the Monroe County Tax Department’s Web site, Dennis has not paid taxes on the property since 2006 and the account is delinquent. She owes $8,408. The account has been handed over to American Tax Funding LLC, which contracts with the county to handle its back tax payments.

According to George Winter, Webster’s code enforcement officer, the inside of the house isn’t much better than the outside.

“The property right now is so full of junk, you can’t even get through it,” he said.
Dennis’ property is no stranger to this process. Two years ago, the home’s garage was torn down by the town, Winter said.

Paperwork about the garage was sent to Dennis’ Pittsford home starting in 2005, but no one ever heard back from her.

“I sent paperwork out for a garage and all of that was kind of ignored,” he said. “(The garage) had fallen down. It was falling on the neighbor’s property.”

In the past, a couple of unlicensed vehicles had been towed, he added. Even then, Dennis did not approach town officials.

A neighbor nearby said he can’t wait for the rest of the house to come down.
The home isn’t worth saving, Nesbitt said. Parts of the roof are rotting. Moss and plants are growing in the gutters.

“It is in disrepair and in hazardous condition,” Nesbitt said. “The rats are in there, the mice are in there, you name it.”

The house has turned into a hangout for teenagers, he said. On the side of the home, the doors to the basement are open. A look inside revealed several chairs positioned by the stairs. Graffiti symbols have been sprayed on the side of the home.

Town officials aren’t tearing the home down to be mean-spirited, Winter said. It’s a matter of safety.

“They don’t do this because they want to,” Winter said. “It’s a danger to anyone that’s around there.”

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com.

May 6, 2008, 6:32 am

Webster schools face litigation 

After refusing to disclose whether or not she was pregnant, a Webster elementary school teacher said she was discriminated against.

So, now Jennifer Heaphy, a teacher at the State Road school, is suing the Webster school district for violating the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1975, the New York state Human Rights Law and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court by attorney Christina Agola, on behalf of Heaphy late last month.

And the Webster Central School District has filed a response to the discrimination lawsuit denying any wrongdoing. The district is being represented by Michael P. McClaren, an attorney from Buffalo-based Webster Szanyi LLP.

In the suit, Heaphy said the district acted inappropriately when the school’s principal, Carmen Gumina, asked if she was pregnant in September 2006. The lawsuit alleges district officials acted against Heaphy afterward.

Because the case is a personnel matter with litigation pending, Superintendent Adele Bovard declined to comment.

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1976, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or any related medical conditions, according to the suit.

 It also states Heaphy was subject to increased scrutiny, written warnings, threats and was deprived of a promotion.

According to the suit, the district acted against the human rights law because the law prohibits retaliation in the workplace. And the suit claims the district violated the Civil Rights Act by discriminating against Heaphy.

Magistrate Jonathan Feldman will hear the case.

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com

May 5, 2008, 10:31 am

Two eye two open seats on Webster’s school board 

Fiscal responsibility is the top priority for the two candidates running for Webster’s school board.

The two candidates are running to fill two open seats on the district’s Board of Education. The positions are unpaid and carry a three-year term.

Jeanine Cushman, 53, an incumbent, is running to keep her seat. Cushman has been on the board for six years.

Michael Suffoletto, 56, is running to replace Sue Jones, who is not seeking another term after this year.

Suffoletto has served as a teacher in Webster for the last 33 years. He’ll be retiring at the end of this year, but said he is not quite ready to leave the district. He currently teaches at Willink Middle School.

“It’s just a nice way to continue being part of the education system,” he said. “Webster’s been nice to me. I’ve decided it’s time for me to serve them back.”

Suffoletto and Cushman agree the district needs to continue its fiscal responsibility. This year, the district unveiled a $134.5 million spending plan for the 2008-09 school year.

While budgeting, all suburban districts in Monroe County had to take into account Monroe County’s Fairness, Accuracy, Innovative and Results (F.A.I.R.) plan. The plan would take 50 percent of the schools’ sales tax money to put it toward the county’s Medicaid tab. Webster schools would lose about $2.85 million under that plan.

The school districts won a  court case opposing the plan, but county officials said they would appeal that ruling.

“... Obviously times are going to be tough for the county, which makes times tough for the school districts,” Suffoletto said.

The loss in sales tax revenue would be tough for the district, Suffoletto said, adding that some of the money goes to pay for state and federal mandates.

“We’re hit with a lot of unfunded mandates,” he said, naming several, including the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which is geared toward improving the performance of primary and secondary schools.

Cushman said she wants to advocate for high-quality public education.

“I think there is a tendency, and not necessarily locally, but there’s a tendency for public education to be criticized for a variety of things,” she said. “And I personally believe that public education is essential.”

Public education is important to maintain a productive workforce and to ensure all students have access to high-quality education, Cushman said.

District residents may vote on the candidates, as well as on the district’s budget, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 at Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com.

May 5, 2008, 8:08 am

Webster teachers will soar together 

Like an eagle, Dan Sepka saw what he wanted and swooped to grab it.

Sepka is a teacher at Webster’s State Road school. The principal there, Carmen Gumina, was enlisted to help Sepka propose in style to his girlfriend, colleague Jeanine Bell.

Gumina planned a schoolwide assembly on eagles for Tuesday, April 8, purportedly National Eagle Day, and the bald eagle happens to be the school’s mascot. Another teacher was scheduled to give the speech, but claimed to be sick, so she asked Bell to deliver the presentation for her.

“I started reading the PowerPoint, but I was so nervous,” Bell said. “I wasn’t paying attention to this stuff.”

Some of the slides made reference to beards, something Sepka has. Another said bald eagles pick their mate at 25 — Sepka’s age.

“It was starting to click at this point,” Bell said.

The last few slides really gave it away. One slide had a picture of Sepka. Then, the next read, “Miss Bell, will you marry me?”

Enter Sepka — wearing a suit.

“The day before, he said to me, ‘I think I’m going to wear a suit to work tomorrow,’” Bell said. “I said, ‘Why?’”

Sepka’s response? “I’m reading a story to my kids, and it has a guy with a suit in it,” she added.

Anyway, her answer to Sepka: Yes.

The couple has been dating since November 2006. A July 2009 wedding is planned.

The presentation was masterminded by Sepka and Gumina on one of their daily jogs.

“We were brainstorming during one of our runs together after school and we came up with ‘Wouldn’t it be cool for all of the students to see something like this?’” Gumina said.

So, he planned the National Eagle Day and Sepka planned everything else, including the PowerPoint presentation. At the end of the proposal, Gumina broke the news to the rest of the school — there is no such thing as National Eagle Day.

And, what does Bell have to say about it?

“It was really special,” Bell said. “It was wonderful.”

Now, the couple plan to sell their respective homes and buy one together, Bell said.

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, ext. 323, or at jgaspar@messengerpostmedia.com.

May 3, 2008, 2:00 am