I have always encouraged my children to be open to trying new things and challenging experiences.  I believe the reward is usually worth the hard work and effort. For years, I enjoyed watching my son Sean play hockey.  It looked like such a fun game. When a friend asked me if I wanted to join a “learn to play hockey” program I decided to give it a try.  At the time I didn’t even know how to skate. I quickly fell in love with the game and joined an adult women’s hockey team. Sean helped me to learn positioning and better understand strategy.  He helped me practice my skills on our backyard rink. Soon thereafter, my daughter Katie decided that she wanted to play as well. I ended up being an assistant coach for Katie’s youth hockey teams for five years.  I was with her on the ice at practices and on the bench at games. We spent countless hours in the car and nights in hotels, traveling to her competitions. Hockey was a big part of Sean’s and Katie’s childhood and was a common experience that tied us together.   

The joy and feeling of accomplishment I get from playing hockey is definitely worth the years of effort it took to get here.  Hockey is my happy place. And every now and then, my kids make my day and join me on the ice once again.

Marnie Weinmann

Teacher

Plank North Elementary

I'm sure Marnie would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment.

The next post about my personal project, We All Have a Story, features retired teacher Jim Guderian

It was a delight to sit-down with Jim and talk about his life from growing up in Buffalo, playing hockey, skiing and singing in the choir to his involvement as an educator that spanned 38 years.  No doubt there are plenty of Webster residents familiar with his face as a teacher at Dewitt Road, Klem Road South and finally at Schlegel Road Elementary where he finished up his teaching career.  Not one to enjoy retirement, he worked for Kittelberger Florist and moved on to the Webster Central School District Buildings and Grounds crew.  His love of music and singing never waned and he's often found rehearsing at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Webster singing in the choir. 

In his words: 

Music has always been an important tenet in my life. I've been singing my whole life long, mostly in grade school, high school, and college choruses. I took voice lessons for awhile when my voice matured and did a bit of solo work, including weddings and even a few funerals (ugh!). I also had the pleasure to sing in a couple of opera choruses while at Buffalo State that solidified my interest in classical music.

After arriving in Webster in the early '60s, I joined the Rochester Oratorio Society and more recently, the Finger Lakes Festival Chorus.  I’ve also been most of the tenor section for Immanuel Lutheran Church (with another woman who sings tenor) for several years now. I wake up in the morning and there is a tune in my head.  I hear something and it plays again and again. On my hikes, a simple musical phrase repeats itself over and over and over. I thought EVERYBODY "heard" these tunes, so I began asking around. They don't!  Am I unique? I don't think so. Does it embarrass me? Not a bit! In fact, I embrace it, as I’m in my ‘80s and still making music, something I never would have believed! Aren't I lucky?

Jim Guderian

Retired Teacher

Buildings and Grounds

I want to thank Jim and the Immanuel Lutheran Church choir in Webster for allowing me to photograph during their rehearsal last winter.  If you'd like more information about this project click here and feel free to view additional stories through other blog posts. 

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