Now for sale! Mr. Webster Rock Star Teacher children’s book!

In the works for over a year, we are so excited to offer an original book by Gary’s friend and local children’s book author Pete Iussig! All net proceeds from book sales will benefit the Gary Webster Young Musicians Program for Valparaiso 4th & 5th grade elementary students.

The book – “Mr. Webster, Rock Star Teacher” – has all of the fond memories we remember about Gary’s days as a teacher at Cooks Corners Elementary School. Whether Mr. Webster was your teacher, your child’s teacher, a co-worker or a friend, you will love this book about all of Gary’s best attributes and endearing eccentricities.  (If you knew Mr. Webster, you know what we mean!) Filled with colorful, hand-drawn illustrations by a former Valparaiso HS grad, the story will engage and delight the child in your life or in your own heart.

You can purchase your first edition on Amazon just in time for the holidays. The book will also be available locally at Front Porch Music and Blythe’s Sporting Goods, hopefully by mid-December for $15.00 each.  (Be sure to follow us on Facebook for author Pete Iussig’s readings and signings.)

Amazon link here (and pay attention to delivery dates if you want to have your book under the tree this Christmas):

 

Donate to the Gary Webster Young Musicians Fund – It’s tax deductible!

If you’re looking to make a year-end contribution to a charity for your 2016 tax deductions, consider donating to the Gary Webster Young Musicians Fund.

We are expanding our program to include both Cooks Corners Elementary School and Flint Lake Elementary in 2017, which means we will be awarding four music guitar lessons scholarships this coming year in Gary’s name. Our hope is to get the program into every Valparaiso elementary school at some point in the future. But we need your help!

You can make your donation through the Porter County Community Foundation. Make sure to indicate your Preferred Fund as the “Gary Webster Young Musicians Fund.”

More about the Gary Webster Young Musicians Program here…

Shelby Kucharyski named winner of 2016 Gary Webster Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Valparaiso graduate Shelby Kucharyski as the 2016 recipient of the Gary Webster Memorial Scholarship.

Shelby, who will be attending Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, this fall, has received a $1,500 scholarship for her freshman year, with a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded prior to her sophomore year if she maintains a 2.0 GPA or better during her first year of college.

Continue reading Shelby Kucharyski named winner of 2016 Gary Webster Memorial Scholarship

Gary Webster Young Musicians program underway at Cooks Corners

The Gary Webster Young Musicians program took place this week at Cooks Corners Elementary School in Valparaiso.

Fourth and fifth grade students benefited from hands on experience with 24 guitars purchased with funds from Gary’s estate. Music teacher Karen Zappia organized the program into her music curriculum and former student of Gary, Chad Clifford, lead singer/guitarist for the locally renowned Crawpuppies and owner of Front Porch Music in Valparaiso, conducted the introductory classes. Continue reading Gary Webster Young Musicians program underway at Cooks Corners

Brooke Fullenkamp named inaugural recipient of Gary Webster Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to deserving candidate Brooke Fullenkamp as the first  recipient of the Gary Webster Memorial Scholarship.

Brooke, who will be attending Indiana Wesleyan next fall, has received a $1,500 scholarship for her freshman year, with a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded prior to her sophomore year if she maintains a 2.0 GPA or better during her first year of college.

Continue reading Brooke Fullenkamp named inaugural recipient of Gary Webster Memorial Scholarship

A legacy leaves us…

Get a Mr. Webster memorial bookmark…

garyOur wonderful Mr. Webster, dear brother and uncle peacefully succumbed to his valiant battle with metastatic melanoma at approximately 4:35 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2014.

Many of you did not know — which was how Gary wanted it — that he had been battling cancer, as well as Parkinson’s disease, for the past year. He never wanted the fuss and attention that came with that type of news and simply wanted to keep doing what he loved, without disruption, for the students to whom he was so dedicated. He was receiving care with some of the most recently approved cancer treatments at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. We had great hopes for extending Gary’s time with us, and we did everything we could to give him a chance to beat this horrible disease, but it was not to be.

Continue reading A legacy leaves us…

Welcome to GaryWebster.org, in honor of Mr. Webster of Cooks Corner

garyWe are sorry that this website is not yet completely ready, as we are trying to  focus on keeping our dear Mr. Webster as comfortable as possible here at the VNA Hospice in Valparaiso.

The website is now set up so that students, former students, parents, friends and acquaintances can leave stories, well wishes and whatever comments they would like to make here.

Soon, we will be setting up the website to accept donations for a scholarship fund in Mr. Webster’s name that will be established in the future for Valparaiso students pursuing careers in elementary education. We would ask that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to this fund. If you would like to donate via check, please make/send your donation to:

Porter County Community Foundation
c/o Cory Webster
2658 Blarney Stone Drive
Valparaiso, IN 46385

Thank you for visiting and we look forward to reading your personal stories about this wonderful man who has touched so, so many lives.

Gary’s Family