It’s time to update the Wegmans Game

24 Apr

As I was shopping at Wegmans recently, I came upon a friend and former work colleague whom I hadn’t seen in years. That happenstance in itself is not unusual, but I actually saw her two weeks in a row, after not having seen her in probably more than a decade. It got me thinking that, if I still had teenage children and we were playing the Wegmans Game, the happy meeting would give me a huge head start.

Did you ever play the Wegmans Game? The idea was simple; during your shopping trip, you and your companion each count how many people you know. Whoever sees the most people wins. It’s a fun and easy game, since if you hang around Wegmans long enough you’ll see just about everyone in the community walk through the doors.

Those teenagers of mine are now young adults, so I haven’t played the game in a long time. But that didn’t keep me from having a little fun coming up with some new rules for the new generation of Wegmans Game competitors.

The Wegmans Game (21st century rules)

  • Wegmans employees are only worth a half point each. They’re required to be there for long hours anyway, so seeing them is not terribly serendipitous.  And you’ll really appreciate this rule if you’re shopping with your high school-aged child, since he or she will know every one of the checkers.
  • Talkers and stalkers can earn bonus points. These are the people who always seem to shop when you do, and assume you want a half-hour description of their gall bladder surgery. One point for seeing them, a bonus point for successfully avoiding them. Five bonus points for being caught and having to listen to the surgery story.
  • One point for a teacher if you have that teacher this year. One additional point for every decade back you had that teacher. (For example, one extra point for the 10s, two points for the 00s, three for the 90s, and so on. So Mom or Dad, if you see your grade school teacher, it’s almost a guaranteed win.)
  • You must know the person’s name to earn a point. Otherwise you don’t really “know” the person, do you? (Whether you need to know both first and last names can be considered a house rule.)
  • If both players know the same person, point goes to the one who sees that person first.  It rewards acute observation skills.
  • If you skunk your opponent, you must spot said opponent three people at the beginning of the next game.

So I think we have a good start here. Anyone else have a suggestion?

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(posted 4/24/2026)

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A quick update on The Coach

23 Apr

If you’ve passed through the Village of Webster recently, you’ve likely noticed that renovations to the The Coach Sports Bar are still a work in progress. Both the inside and outside have a ways to go before the taps start flowing again at the popular local hangout.

It’s been more than a year since the devastating St. Patrick’s Day, 2025 fire that tore through The Coach. It started behind the bar, and while the building remained structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage meant that the whole place had to be gutted. Owner Fritz Sierk was originally hoping that he’d be able to reopen in time for the Super Bowl last February (which he fully expected the Bills to be playing in). Clearly, that date came and went as unexpected delays and construction hurdles kept pushing the reopening date down the road.

But things are finally nearing completion and Fritz says he hopes to open in a “couple of weeks.” And when he finally does, the wait will most definitely have been worth it.

Some of the highlights of the new space include a larger, more comfortable bar space with better lighting; a large overhang on the back deck to accommodate smokers, replacing the old “smoking hut” which had to be removed to enlarge the bathrooms; a small, fenced-in patio at the east end of the building, providing additional seating; a 140-inch LED wall replacing the four huge TVs on the west wall of the seating area; and there are two new “garage-door windows,” very much like the one at the Mary Wee Pub across the street.

But Fritz is especially proud of those new bathrooms. They’re much larger and completely updated, and feature individual rooms with doors, rather than stalls.

Fritz is really looking forward to showing off the “new” Coach to the community.

“I’m excited to finally open,” Fritz said. “It’s been long enough. The place is just amazing. It’s certainly not the old Coach but I think it’s got enough personality to be good. I like the openness, the ‘Mary Wee’ windows, the soffit around the bar … and the bathrooms are incredible.”

In the end it’s still going to be the same, familiar Coach that we all know and love. Just a little bit better.

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(posted 4/23/2026)

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2026 Helping Heroes Clean-up Day scheduled

22 Apr

The second annual Helping Heroes Clean-up Day has been scheduled for Saturday, May 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The community-wide clean-up event is organized by the Webster Recreation Center in honor of a beloved long-time staff member, Tom Smock, who passed away in 2023. He worked at the Recreation Center as a part-time custodian for eight years. But more than that, he interacted daily with the 55+ folks, fitness members, and all the young people who came through the building. Recreation Supervisor Julie Schillaci remembers him as “a generous and humble guy. He would always lend a hand with whatever was needed at the Recreation Center and he is sorely missed around here.”

Giving back to the community with a clean-up day is a fitting way to honor Tom’s commitment to Webster.

The whole idea of Helping Heroes Clean-up Day is for households, especially the elderly, who need some extra help cleaning up yard debris, to sign up for assistance, AND – to honor Tom’s giving spirit — for community members to sign up to help. Volunteers are needed to assist with light spring cleanup (raking, weeding, spreading mulch, etc.) in yards around the area, as well as those who need assistance at their homes.

If you’d like to have some helpers come to your house to do some yard work, you can sign up here. If you’d like to volunteer to help out, click here or call the Webster Recreation Center at (585) 872-7103. You’ll be provided with more details as the event gets closer.

This is a great opportunity for the whole family, and a great way to show your kids how helping others is fun and makes you feel great.

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(posted 4/22/2026)

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One week left to answer the Mail Call Challenge

21 Apr

Time is running out to achieve the ambitious Mail Call: Letters From Home goal set at the beginning of this month to collect 1,000 letters and notes for our deployed service members.

During this month-long challenge — an initiative of Wreaths Across America Webster — community members have been encouraged to stop by one of a dozen businesses throughout Webster which are hosting mailboxes (like the one above at the Webster Recreation Center) and fill out a card with a simple message of thanks, or we’re thinking of you, or we’re proud of you. The messages will then be sent overseas this June inside care packages prepared by the Blue Star Mothers of Rochester. It’s a simple way to spread some joy to our local service members stationed abroad.

The community has already been very supportive (thank you!) and the mail boxes are beginning to fill up. But many more cards need to be written if we want to achieve that ambitious goal. Think about maybe doing some at home as a family project, or as a class project in school. Or maybe ask your church group to make cards. Let’s get everyone involved!

When you’re ready to drop them off, you’ll find mailboxes at these locations:

  • American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942: 818 Ridge Rd (back entrance).
  • Jersey Mike’s Subs: 975 Ridge Rd.
  • KeyBank: 1848 Empire Blvd.
  • KeyBank: 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Lowes Home Improvement: 900 Five Mile Line Rd.
  • M.O. Pasta: 5 E. Main St.
  • Lala of Webster: 38 E. Main St.
  • Village Quilt Shoppe: 21 E. Main St.
  • Webster Recreation Center: 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
  • Webster Town Hall: 1000 Ridge Rd.
  • Kittelberger Florist: 263 North Ave.
  • The North Bee: 27 North Ave.

And if you’ve asked yourself whether this project is worth the effort, consider this story: One service member said he kept a young student’s card in his backpack throughout deployment. “Whenever I was scared, and didn’t feel like I could go on,” he said, “I’d take out that crayoned card, and knew someone was thinking of me.” You can imagine the joy we can all spread with 1,000 cards and letters. THAT’s what the Mail Call challenge is all about.

Messages will be collected through the end of April, so please stop by a mailbox soon and spend a moment to brighten a service member’s day.

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(posted 4/21/2026)

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A nod to Earth Day

20 Apr

Earth Day, 2026 is coming up this Wednesday, April 22. In honor of that day, I’d like to revisit one of my earliest blog posts, written on April 19, 2008. It was a fun — and slightly embarrassing — stroll through memory lane:

Earth Day 1970 Remembered

Do you remember the first Earth Day? (It’s OK; the nice thing about blogs is that you can answer with some anonymity, so you don’t have to admit your age.)

It was April 22, 1970, and I was in the sixth grade. I remember being very excited about Earth Day. I was also quite the radical. I remember my friends and I considered taking bag loads of trash and dumping them on the lawn of the town hall. Why we would do that, I can’t recall. Whether we actually did it, I can’t recall. Probably blocked out that memory of our audacious civil resistance.

Of course, back in the early 1970s (the time of the first oil crisis) it seemed that everyone was much more concerned with the environment. It’s nice to see that Earth Day is still around, and that environmental concerns are addressed at the grass roots level at least once a year.

I know that there are more 70s radicals like me out there. It’s time for us to pass the torch onto our kids and get them more interested in helping protect our environment.

Perhaps I’ll head out on Wednesday and pick up some trash in the neighborhood. Just for old times’ sake.

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(posted 4/21/2026)

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Webster community mailbag

19 Apr

A few new offerings in today’s mailbag, and some reminders.

The Webster Arboretum Association’s Spring Plant Sale is back, scheduled for Saturday, May 9 from 8 a.m. to noon.

This sale is just blooming with beautiful, healthy live plants which are grown by local garden clubs and local commercial growers in local soil, so they’re going to grow in your garden, too. Garden Club members will also share their favorite plants from their own gardens.

This is the perfect opportunity to grab a Mother’s Day gift. The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Upcoming Chamber events

The Webster Chamber of Commerce‘s next monthly meeting — complete with a breakfast buffet — is Friday, April 24 at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd., beginning at 7 a.m. The event is for members, guests and visitors who are interested in investigating a Chamber membership.

The meetings are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. It’s the largest monthly Chamber networking event within the Greater Rochester area, with 80-100 attendees. Bring a door prize for increased visibility and your business card, to take your chances on winning a door prize! Online reservations are required by Thursday, April 23 at noon.  

The Chamber’s next Connect @ Noon networking event will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at the Webster Chamber of Commerce office at 1110 Crosspointe Lane. It will be hosted by Rich Marlin from Edward Jones and Kara Galante from The Steam Police. Members and professionals interested in doing business in Webster and are prospective Chamber members are invited to attend this event. Bring your business card and a door prize for even more visibility. 

There’s no fee to attend the Connect @ Noon events, but registration is required.

And now, some reminders …

The Webster Comfort Care Home‘s Mother’s Day Raffle is still going on.

  • First prize ($500+ value) is a self-care bundle including WOW hair products, a gift certificate to Evie Boutique, a candle, and more in a Thirty-One Catch-All Bin.
  • Second prize ($125 value) includes a big bottle of Prosecco, two insulated wine glasses, wine charms, sassy sticky notes, and a soft, cozy afghan.
  • Third prize ($50 value) is a candle, dream pillow, sassy sticky notes, and $20 in gift cards to Lala of Webster.

Tickets are $25 each, 3 for $60 or 6 for $100, and are available at the WCCH website. Drawing will be held on May 3 at 10 a.m. Click here to get your tickets.

Good books, cheap

The Friends of WPL’s Spring Book Sale takes place Wednesday, April 22 through Saturday April 25.

The first day of the sale, April 22 from 4 to 7 p.m., is exclusively for Friends members. Membership can be purchased at websterlibrary.org or at the door.

All are welcome to attend the Book Sale on Thursday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. Thursday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon are Bring-Your-Own-Bag Sale days, when you can fill your bag with books for only $5.

Got expired drugs?

Webster Health and Education Network, together with the Town of Webster and the Webster Police Department will host a DEA National Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Town Court, 1002 Ridge Rd. (behind Town Hall; look for the blue roof). Clear out your medicine cabinet to help to keep Webster safe. This will be a drive-through event so you don’t even have to get out of your car! 

It’s chicken barbecue time again!

St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Spring Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, May 2 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out. Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

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(posted 4/19/2026)

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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Ryndock Realty named Webster Chamber Business of the Month

18 Apr

Congratulations to Ryndock Realty, honored as the April Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Ryndock Realty, located at 1250 State Rt. 104 in Ontario, is owned by Sylvia Ryndock, who received the award in honor of her commitment to her business and her community, and her service with the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

It was a deeply personal turning point in her life which inspired Sylvia to start her business. In 2013, after being diagnosed with cancer, Sylvia was inspired to pursue a long-considered goal of obtaining her real estate broker’s license. Following an arduous 16-month battle, she emerged with a renewed perspective: “You never know how long you have on this earth.” This realization motivated her to fully commit to building a business grounded in personal service, education and purpose.

The Chamber values community service, and Sylvia lives a life of contribution to others. She serves as Director on the Webster Chamber Board and is a member of the Marketing & Communications Committee. She volunteers with the Wayne County Business Council and Genesee Valley Aglow International, and she and her husband Mark lead New Breed Fellowship. Sylvia also volunteers to prepare taxes for seniors, leads a jail ministry, supports women through her own Begin Again program, and hosts the Mobile Mammography Center at her office.

Through her breast cancer and personal loss experiences, Sylvia communicates a depth of compassion, resilience, and understanding through her Realtor and community service work. These experiences translate into personal and professional support of her clients and community.

Congratulations to Ryndock Realty for being chosen for this well-deserved honor.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. Less than 3% of the members are chosen annually.

ABOUT THE WEBSTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Webster Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization that provides support, networking opportunities and education to its members. They foster collaboration among business, community and government to promote Webster’s economic vitality and quality of life. The Webster Chamber is the voice and catalyst of business. Working together, the Chamber delivers a strong community of choice. rocENROLL HEALTH is owned and operated by the Chamber, offering health insurance enrollment throughout your lifetime. This service began in 1938.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 4/18/2026)

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Schroeder Theater Company brings The Outsiders to the stage, with a special performance for seniors

17 Apr

Schroeder Theater Company will bring S.E. Hinton’s classic 1967 novel The Outsiders to the stage for four shows next Thursday through Saturday, April 23 to 25.

Not familiar with The Outsiders? Here’s a synopsis:

Whether it’s Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1960s or Webster, NY in 2026, there have always been “outsiders” — outcasts, underdogs, and those who are simply misunderstood. The story follows Ponyboy Curtis (Evan Burdick) and the rest of his Greaser gang (Rowan Murphy, Brody Walrath, Brock Brinkman and Lukas Vega) as they try to survive the hardships of growing up, all while attempting to de-escalate rising tensions with their affluent rival gang, “The Socs.” It’s a poignant coming-of-age tale which tackles violence, heartbreak, and tragedy head-on.

Show times are Thursday through Saturday, April 23 to 25 at 7 p.m. each night, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. All shows will be held at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Tickets are $10 and seating is general admission. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door, but note that all at-the-door ticket sales are cash only.

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The talented Schroeder Theater cast will also be presenting a special performance of The Outsiders just for our Webster senior citizens on Wednesday, April 29.

The event will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Schroeder High School with light refreshments and an opportunity check out some of the artwork recently on display at Community Arts Day, created by students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade. Following the morning reception, attendees will head into the auditorium for the two-hour performance beginning at 10 a.m.

Advance registration is required. Attendees must register online here. The performance is free but a $5 donation is suggested and can be paid upon arrival to help support the production costs of the show.

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(posted 4/17/2026)

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The doctor will see you now — at the Webster Museum

16 Apr

If you’re interested in hearing more about the history of medicine in Webster, you’ll want to attend a fascinating talk this Sunday afternoon, April 19, at the Webster Museum.

The talk, which begins at 2 p.m., will be presented by Dr. Colin Scott, a retired medical practitioner and museum volunteer, who has been conducting extensive research into medical practices throughout history. On Sunday he’ll share some of that research, including stories of the lives of local doctors, nurses, and patients over the years, focusing especially on the 1800s.

Dr. Scott will begin his talk by tracing the development of North Penfield and Webster, using three Webster physicians as guides: Dr. Oliver Reynolds, Dr. John Dunning and Dr. Charles Reitz. You’ll hear about the Pultneyville skirmish and how Webster was on the front lines in the War of 1812; about the Reynolds’ Corner Building and its focus on patent medicine production and distribution; about Dr. Oliver Reynolds’ medical practice, and how he was removed by the Monroe County Medical Society because of his patent medicine business; about Dr. John Dunning and his drive to improve the educational facilities in Webster and surrounds; and how Dr. Reitz provided a kind of bridge between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Throughout this tale, Dr. Scott will trace the evolution of 19th-century medicine, illustrating the era’s pivotal shifts with a curated slideshow and an exhibit of authentic medical instruments.

The presentation will begin at 2 p.m. No registration is necessary. Refreshments will be served. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park, in the Village of Webster.

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(posted 4/16/2026)

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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Webster Library to host Diverse Abilities Resource Fair

15 Apr

If you’re looking for resources for your loved one with a disability, then the Diverse Abilities Resource Fair coming to the Webster Public Library on April 18 is for you.

This annual event (formerly called the Special Needs Parent Resource Fair) draws dozens of organizations from around Rochester, all of which offer programs and support for children and adults with disabilities. It continues to grow every year, and this year will welcome more than 70 agencies. (Scroll down to see a list of them all.)

On Saturday April 18, parents and caregivers are invited to stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and noon, chat with the organizations’ representatives and pick up some information. All ages are welcome, and if at any time you or your loved ones need a breather, Autism Up will be set up in the Community Room with a sensory space.

Registration is not required, but recommended if you’d like to get a emailed reminder. Call 585-872-7075 or click here to register. If you’re unable to attend, information about the attending organizations will be available upon request.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd. at the rear of Webster Plaza.

This year’s Diverse Abilities Fair participants

* ACCES-VR
* Al Sigl Community of Agencies
* Arc of Monroe
* ARCH Program at Roberts Wesleyan University
* Artists Unlimited
* Autism Up and Golisano Autism Center
* Bella’s Bumbas
* Best Buddies International
* Blue Heron Collective
* Cassano Studios
* Catholic Charities Family & Community Services
* CDS Monarch
* Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester
* Cheer and Dance Athletics Rochester
* Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester
* Child Care Council
* Childhood Behavior Solutions
* CP Rochester
* CUNY School of Public Health
* David’s Refuge
* Dyslexia Allies of WNY/Student Success Project
* Empowering People’s Independence
* Equicenter
* Every Tree
* Flower City Down Syndrome Network
* Gigi’s Playhouse
* Gliding Stars of WNY
* Goodwill Vision Enterprises
* Heritage Christian Services
* Heritage Christian Stables
* The Hochstein School
* Lifetime Assistance
* Mental Health Association of Rochester
* Mid-West Family and Community Engagement Center
* MindFit Mental Health Counseling LLC
* Monroe County Board of Elections
* Monroe County Early Intervention
* National Federation of the Blind
* Never Say Never Foundation
* Next Day Access
* New York Life
* NYSARC Trust Services
* NYS Department of Civil Service
* NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs
* OPWDD: Front Door
* Olive Speech Therapy, PLLC
* Parents Helping Parents Coalition of Monroe County
* Parent to Parent NYS
* People Inc.
* Person Centered Services
* Prime Care Coordination
* Relatability, LLC
* RocDog Therapy and Community Working Dogs
* Rochester Accessible Adventures
* Rochester Hearing and Speech
* Rochester Works
* Senator Samra Brouk District Office
* Spectrum Creative Arts
* Sportsnet
* Spotted Rabbit Studio
* Step by Step & Sprout Therapy Management Group
* Starbridge
* Strike Back Martial Arts
* Syracuse University: InclusiveU
* Syracuse University: CDI
* TIES – Together Including Every Student
* Tim’s Trim Inc
* Tobii Dynavox
* Urban League of Rochester
* University of Rochester Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
* Vision Financial Group
* WXXI

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 4/15/2026)

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