Two upcoming Webster fairs highlight Greater Rochester senior services

20 May

Webster seniors looking to connect with local services will soon have two fantastic opportunities right in their backyard. The Webster Recreation Center and Webster Public Library will each host an upcoming Senior Resource Fair tailored specifically for community members ages 55 and older. The events will bring together dozens of organizations from across the Greater Rochester area, offering information on everything from senior living and recreation to meal programs, legal services, and more.

The first of the two events is scheduled at the Webster Recreation Center on Wednesday, May 27 — National Senior Fitness and Health Day — from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It will feature health and information vendors, a free yogurt bar, free health assessments, mini fitness demonstrations, cornhole and tours of the Rec Center. Plus there’ll be some raffle prizes.

The event is open to the 55+ community. You do not have to be a member of the Rec Center and no registration is necessary. Just pop in when you can! The Rec Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr., just off of Phillips.

This is the Rec Center’s second annual Senior Fitness Day, and I was able to check it out last year. It was a lot of fun and the yogurt bar was a real treat. (And by the way, my husband Jack will be there promoting his Aging…better blog.)

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A little more than a week later, on Thursday June 4, the Webster Public Library will host their very first Senior Resource Fair from 3 to 5 p.m.

Almost 50 organizations have signed up to be at this fair:

  • 101 Mobility of Rochester
  • AARP Smart Driver Program
  • Aging…better (newsletter)
  • Caring Transitions
  • Catholic Charities Family & Community Services
  • Center for Disability Rights
  • Churches Offering Meals for Everyone
  • ConnectCare MD
  • Coordinated Care Services 
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County
  • Corretore McLaughlin, Attorneys at Law
  • Eastman-Rochester New Horizons Program
  • ElderONE
  • Elevate Dance Center
  • Episcopal Senior Life Communities
  • Excellus Medicare Advisor
  • Finger Lakes Mobile RNs
  • Happier at Home
  • Heathwood Assisted Living and Memory Care
  • Jewish Home – Lilac Grove Community
  • Kindsoul
  • LawNY
  • Legacy at Clover Blossom
  • Lifespan
  • M&T Bank in Webster
  • Monroe County Office for the Aging
  • New York Life financial professional
  • Oasis Rochester
  • PPL First
  • Rainbow Seniors ROC
  • Senior Helpers in Rochester
  • Senior Medical Care – Dr. Luis Postigo
  • Senior’s Choice Care Management
  • Seniors Helping Seniors
  • SMT Mobile Notary
  • Social Security Services
  • St. Ann’s Community
  • Surrogate Son
  • Sweet Home Photography
  • TekHub
  • Veterans Affairs – Rochester Vet Center
  • WASPS (Webster Senior Transportation)
  • Webster Comfort Care
  • Webster Community Chest
  • Webster Recreation Center 55+ Activities & Services
  • WellFitRoc
  • Willard H. Scott Funeral Home
  • Your Best Move

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(posted 5/18/2026)

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Webster community mailbag

19 May

Leading off today’s mailbag, this happy bit of news from the Webster Arboretum:

The Webster Arboretum is proud to announce that it has now achieved Level 1 Accredited Arboretum status through the ArbNet’s Morton Register of Arboreta, the world’s only international accreditation program specific to arboreta.

The Webster Arboretum stands as a distinguished natural asset within the Webster Community. The site features one and a half miles of walking trails, curated gardens, a serene pond, and preserved wooded areas, offering an inviting environment for those seeking tranquility. Throughout the seasons, native and rare species of trees and plants enhance the landscape, providing picturesque views reminiscent of fine artwork. The harmonious integration of natural beauty with thoughtful human stewardship sets the Webster Arboretum apart as a valued resource.

Their collections include a variety of exceptional species: tree peonies, magnolias, witch hazels, and numerous mature oaks—a keystone species in the region. Noteworthy specimens include Quercus robur ‘General Pulaski,’ a distinctive dwarf curly leaf English Oak; Pinus sylvestris ’Moseri,’ a rare dwarf Scots Pine; and Pterostyrax, an impressive epaulette tree that reaches thirty feet in both height and width. A particular highlight is the Sequoiadendron giganteum ‘Pendulum,’ a striking giant weeping sequoia prominently featured in their courtyard.

Congratulations to the Arboretum, a true Webster community gem!

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Speaking of the Arboretum, here’s a great way to support them while having a delightful evening out in the village.

On Thursday May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m., Lala of Webster (at 38 E. Main St.) will host a “Sip, Shop and Savor” event to benefit the Arboretum.

Shop three floors of value at Lala’s, and choose an item valued at $15 or more to donate to The Webster Arboretum. As a thank-you, you’ll get 20% the rest of your purchases. Then take your receipt next door to Jojo’s Bistro and Wine Bar, and get 20% off there, too. Jojo’s always has live music on Thursdays, so it’s a great opportunity for a date night!

Great food for a great cause

Now onto another great local resource.

The Webster Comfort Care Home will be the beneficiary of the Webster Masonic Temple’s monthly spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Friday, June 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Enjoy a full meal including: salad, bread, spaghetti with your choice of sauce, meatballs, ice cream, a cookie, and a drink (bottled water, tea, and coffee). Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased in advance (click here) or at the door. While you’re there, check out the bake sale and raffles, all to benefit the Comfort Care Home.

The Webster Masons hold a spaghetti dinner on the first Friday of every month from October through June and each benefits a Webster charity or not-for-profit organization.

ALSO from the Webster Comfort Care Home, the community is invited to their new “Yoga in the Yard” classes, which will be held on Sundays June 7, July 12 and August 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration is not necessary, and there’s no charge for these sessions, but donations would be gratefully accepted.

The Webster Comfort Care Home is located at 700 Holt Rd.

Join the Rec Center’s Fitness Focus Group

The Webster Recreation Center is calling all community members to join their Fitness Focus Group, which will help shape the future of the Rec Center’s program, facilities and group exercise options.

Here’s a great description of what to expect, from Fitness Coordinator Jay Verna:

The mission of the Fitness Focus Group is to foster open communication, gather diverse member perspectives, and support continuous improvement of our programs, equipment, and facility. Through thoughtful engagement and shared ideas, the group will help ensure that our fitness offerings continue to meet the evolving needs of our community. The group will meet periodically to review ideas, discuss emerging needs, and work together to support a welcoming, effective, and community-focused fitness environment. My goal is to keep time commitment to a minimum and give the community a voice as we look to improve our fitness facility, equipment, and group exercise programming.

Community members interested in contributing can contact Jay at jverna@websterny.gov with their information and a brief note about why they’d like to participate. Submissions are open through May 31.

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(posted 5/19/2026)

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Memorial Day Parade details

18 May

Webster’s Memorial Day Parade, kind of the unofficial kick-off to the summer season, takes place on Memorial Day, Monday May 25.

Here are the details:

  • 9:00 a.m.:  All groups participating in the parade will assemble at Spry Middle School on Sanford Street. All active duty and ex-service men and women are invited to take part in the parade. Any veterans who would like to ride in the bed of an Army truck are asked to be at Spry by 9 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m.:  Parade moves out from Spry, down South Avenue, turning west on Main Street and proceeding to Webster Rural Cemetery.
  • 9:50 a.m. (approx.): Parade arrives at Webster Rural Cemetery.
  • The Remembrance Ceremony will begin at approximately 10 a.m., or whenever everyone arrives and gets settled.

In addition to honored active military members, auxiliary members and veterans, also expected to march in this year’s parade are the Webster High School Marching Band, Boy Scouts and (hopefully) Girl Scouts, firefighters and more. Click here to see a gallery of photos from last year.

This is always a very nice parade, and the ceremony that follows it at Webster Rural Cemetery is always moving. I highly recommend bringing your children to see both the parade and the ceremony, so they might begin to understand the huge debt we owe our servicemen and women.

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(posted 5/18/2026)

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Comfort Care Home’s Father’s Day raffle will make you his favorite

17 May

You know your dad is the best. So how ’bout you try to win a great prize for him in the Webster Comfort Care Home’s Father’s Day Raffle?

Tickets are now available for the raffle, which runs through Sunday, June 14. And the grand prize “Thrill of the Grill” bundle, is amazing, starting with a 28-inch Blackstone grill. Plus, the lucky dad will receive:

• Two camp chairs
• Four-pack of seasonings & spice rubs from The Spice Lab
• Three Dinosaur BBQ sauces
• Headlamp
• Coleman 50-quart rolling cooler
• Life is Good Smashed Burger set

Basically, your dad could host the best tailgate party in the neighborhood.

Tickets are one for $25, three for $30 and six for $100. Click here to get yours.

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Webster Comfort Care Home, located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, provides free hospice care to the terminally ill of our Webster community. The dedicated staff members and volunteers there uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of its residents, while supporting their loved ones in a warm, home-like atmosphere. It’s an amazing agency that does great things for families experiencing the some of the most difficult times of their lives.

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(posted 5/17/2026)

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News from the Friends of Webster Trails

16 May

It’s a sure sign of spring when the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) volunteers start ramping up their trail maintenance efforts. I learned all about them in the most recent Friends newsletter, which popped up in my email box the other day, my quarterly reminder of how lucky we are to have this organization in our community.

A large portion of the spring newsletter reviewed last year’s improvements to the Hojack Trail, the five-mile long former railroad bed that stretches from Lake Rd. at Forest Lawn to Phillips Rd. Those efforts included adding drainage and resurfacing the entire stretch between Holt and Drumm roads. It caused a little bit of disruption when portions of the trail had to be closed, but the results are fantastic. The trail has been busy all winter with walkers, runners, bikers, and cross-country skiers enjoying the new surface and improved drainage.

The work isn’t done quite yet, though. Later this spring, the Friends will be installing signage at each road crossing, and interpretive signs highlighting the history and the habitat of the trail. They’ll also be adding benches and planting scores of small trees and shrubs. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for later this summer, to officially reintroduce the new, improved Hojack to the community.

Improvements to the Hojack Trail were just a small part of what the Friends of Webster Trails accomplished last year, including:

  • Painting the kiosk at the Bird Sactuary Trail, and adding a map and history panels;
  • Adding an extension to the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest Green Trail;
  • Blazing a new side trail at the John Ungar and Michael Johnson Trails;
  • Adding a bridge at Vosburg Hollow (thank you Eagle Scout Jacob Bowen), connecting that trail from the Hojack to Gosnell Big Woods; and much more.

Plans for this spring and summer are no less ambitious. Upcoming projects include improving the Red, Blue and Green Trails at Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest; adding a new boardwalk and walking stick station to State Rd. Nature Preserve; keeping the trails free from downed trees; and many more. And of course, the Friends’ ReTree volunteers will continue their incredible work, raising and planting a variety of native trees.

We have an amazing trail system in our town, and I hope you can see now that the Friends of Webster Trails are the folks to thank for that. These dedicated volunteers are committed to planning, maintaining, and promoting our trails, and advocating for the preservation of the natural character of Webster’s open spaces.

Our trails provide close, easy, and free opportunities for exercise and to spend time in nature for people of all ages. If you’re a regular user of any of Webster’s 28 miles of trails, please consider showing them some love by becoming a member of the Friends. It doesn’t cost much (really, just $15 for an individual or $20 for a family) and the funds go directly to making our trail system better for everyone to enjoy.

You can find out more about the organization and see an interactive map of all the trails at the Friends of Webster Trails website.

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(posted 5/16/2026)

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Dancing With Denise is in the spotlight!

15 May

If you haven’t seen it yet, you might want to pick up this month’s edition of 55 Plus magazine, which is on newsstands now. Inside (and promo’d on the cover) is a three-page article all about our very own Denise Baller and her dance school, Dancing With Denise.

The article, written and photographed by Linda Quinlan, spans more than 40 years. It tells how Denise began her studio right out of high school in rented space in Irondequoit, eventually purchased her own studio on Gravel Rd., found creative ways to survive through the pandemic, and today manages a very busy and very dynamic dance class schedule.

Quinlan does a nice job capturing the unique blend of programs Denise offers for children and adults of all ages. The article highlights both the offerings at her studio and her ever-expanding repertoire of yoga, line dancing, barre, and Zumba classes held throughout the community. However, if you ask me, the more important story is hidden between the lines: Denise’s personal growth as both a teacher and a dedicated community advocate.

What started as “just” a dance school in a small studio has branched out beyond its walls into the community in heartwarming ways. Like holding a canned-food drive every Thanksgiving. And having her young dancers “adopt” an elder during the holidays and purchase small gifts for them. And her “Leaps of Love” program, which provides scholarships for children in need so they can participate in dance. It’s all part of Denise’s goal to “bring a little sunshine into the world” as often as she can.

Denise estimates she’s taught thousands of students through her dance career. And anyone who knows her gets the sense that she’s only just begun.

You can read the whole story in the May/June edition of 55 Plus, which is available on the Wegmans newsstand at no cost. You can also log onto the 55 Plus website and read the article online.

By the way, here’s a great chance to see Denise’s dancers in action: this year’s end-of-season dance recital will take place on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 10 a.m., at Eastridge High School on East Ridge Rd. in Irondequoit. Everyone is invited, and no tickets are necessary.

This year’s recital — the school’s 41st — is called “Dancing With Denise Goes on an Adventure!” It’ll be about two hours long, and feature dancers from ages two to adult. There’s even a special dance where the girls dance with their daddies, and a featured dance by Denise’s Buddies class, where individuals with special needs dance alongside their buddies.

There’s a reception afterwards, so it sounds like just a wonderful, fun evening.

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(posted 5/15/2026)

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Thank you, Webster, from Julia, Lily and Penny!

14 May

You might remember a few weeks ago I wrote about an ambitious Bronze Award project that three young Webster Girl Scouts were working on.

Junior Scouts Julia Meyers, Lily Pettit and Penny Patterson from Troop 60344, all fifth graders from Klem North Elementary School, were collecting games, puzzles, children’s books, colored pencils, crayons, markers and craft kits for children in need. The donations would then be sorted, organized and donated to Family Promise, a Rochester-based organization which assists families at risk of homelessness.

To promote the month-long project, the young ladies posted announcements online, designed flyers to hang around town, and arranged for the Webster School District to send a notice home to all of the district’s families. Finally, they secured several local agencies to serve as host sites for collection boxes. Once everything was in place, they could only wait, hoping people would notice, and their efforts would result in at least a few donations.

The Webster community did more than notice; they responded with overwhelming generosity.

Donations immediately started pouring in, filling the collection bins many times over. Wish lists they’d posted on Amazon for bags, games, activity books, puzzles, crafts, crayons and markers were promptly filled. Several people emailed directly, asking how they could help. Neighbors dropped items off at the house, school friends handed over even more. By the end of April, the young Scouts had collected an estimated 1,500 or more items (actually, they kind of lost count). About a week later, they trucked them all over to the Gathering Place Rochester, where 30 or so family members, neighbors and friends helped them pack 151 “kid kits” for children in need.

Julia, Lily and Penny are thrilled with their project’s success, and know that it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the Webster community. And for that support, they want to send out a HUGE thank you.

“We never thought that it would go as well as it did,” Lily said, to which Penny added, “I didn’t think we were going to have that much stuff. At the most we thought we’d have 500 items.”

“We really appreciate everyone who donated, filled the Amazon list, and came to the Gathering Place event,” Julia said. Not to mention the businesses that provided space for the donation bins, and the Gathering Place for hosting the sorting and organizing session. It was truly a community effort, driven in large part by countless anonymous donors.

“That’s why we’re doing this community thank you, so we can thank them all.”

Here’s a great video from the Gathering Place event which shows the amazing number of donations received (thank you Emily P. for the video!):

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(posted 5/14/2026)

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The Tale of the Wandering Box Spring

13 May

I’ve recently been taking a nostalgic look through all of the blogs I’ve written in the (almost) past 20 years since I began this blogging journey. I naively have been thinking that I should collect some of them into a book for my kids to read after I’m gone.

Well, I don’t know about them, but I’ve really been enjoying revisiting them, and some of them still make me laugh out loud (is it OK to laugh at your own writing?) Every once in a while I come across one which I think you all might also enjoy reading. Some of you might recognize these “oldies but goodies,” but I’ve gained so many new readers in the past few years, for most of you they’ll be brand new.

This has always been one of my favorites, drawn from my frequent walks along the bike path adjacent to Rt. 104 in the village. I originally posted it four years ago this week.

The Tale of the Wandering Box Spring

I bring you a short modern fairy tale today about loss, but ultimate redemption.

Our story begins last summer, when a lone box spring appeared in the wooded area along the pleasantly shady and tree-lined path known to local residents as the Trail of Bike. It rested comfortably along the north side of the Trail, only several feet from where cyclists and walkers would pass. It probably would have found its way deeper into the brush had a metal chain-link obstruction not halted its progress.

Clearly, the poor box spring had lost its way ‘twixt the small brick village nearby and Ye Olde Dumpstre.

One day, as I took a stroll along the Trail of Bike, I saw that some simple traveler (or perhaps a Box Spring Fairy?) had taken pity and extracted the wayward box from the wooded area, placing it on the grassy yard near the small village’s courts of tennis. Surely someone would notice it lying there and return it to its home — or at least help it finally find Ye Olde Dumpstre.

Alas, the poor box lay there through the rest of the summer, through the cold winds of autumn and blustery snows of winter, still lost and alone. And three weeks ago, as the spring flowers returned to the trees, it lay there still, filled with water from the melting snows.

One day, the Box Spring Fairy apparently took note, pushing it closer yet to the the courts of tennis. Perhaps finally some administrator from the small village would see it and take pity.

Huzzah! It did get moved one day! The laborers assigned to trim the grassy yard moved it aside … then moved it back.

Last week, the Box Spring Fairy tried once again, flipping the box head over heels several times until it came to rest standing against the fence surrounding the courts of tennis.

Today, it is gone. A happy ending.

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(posted 5/13/2026)

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What do you love about the Webster library?

12 May

Are you one of those people who head to the Webster Public Library once or (several) times a week to borrow oodles of books? Do you go to the informative talks and travelogues? Are you and your kids regular attendees at family events and story hours? And if so, do you have any suggestions as to how the library folks can make these services even better?

The library would like to know your thoughts. Through August 1, they’re asking library patrons to fill out a quick survey about library spaces and services. Your answers will help them figure out which spaces and services people are really happy with right now, and which ones might need improvement. Basically, you’re going to help them decide how best to spend their limited funds.

It’s a really quick survey, and it asks questions like, “Rank the spaces you use most often” (such as community room, computer area, teen lounge), and “Rank the services you use most often” (such as borrowing books, using Libby, events for teens). It takes about five minutes, and aside from asking your gender and age for statistical purposes, you can fill it out anonymously.

BUT if you would like a chance to win a library swag bag, make sure to include your email address at the end.

There are a few ways you can access the form. First, try this Microsoft form. But if that doesn’t work on your browser, click through to the library webpage here, where you’ll find a link which should work. The survey will be available through August 1.

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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 5/12/2026)

An update from our One Webster SparX team

10 May

Another SparX season is in the books! The 2026 competition season has officially ended, and our One Webster team made our town proud once again through their skill, teamwork, problem-solving, and sportsmanship.

Here’s a great round-up of the season from Tricia Isham, one of the team’s parent mentors:

* * *

Each January, FIRST® Robotics Competition presents high school teams with a new engineering challenge that requires the design, programming, and construction of industrial-sized robots for alliance-based competitive play. Guided by mentors throughout the season, students develop technical, engineering, and problem-solving skills while strengthening teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities. In addition to competition, teams pursue fundraising efforts, engage in community outreach, and promote broader appreciation for STEM education.

Webster Schroeder and Thomas High Schools Team 1126 SparX Robotics, founded in the 2002-2003 competition year, continues to build on over two decades of innovation and competitive excellence. With 24 competition seasons under our belt, we have participated in 52 events and earned 30 awards, an achievement that reflects the dedication, resilience, and growth of our team year after year.

Our 2026 season began at the Finger Lakes Regional, held March 11–14 at the Gordon Field House at RIT during Week 2 of competition. Competing against 55 teams, SparX Robotics finished with a strong 7-3-0 record in qualification matches, ranking 14th overall. The team advanced into the double elimination bracket and battled through nine matches before being eliminated in Round 4. Notably, the team maintained a clean record with zero disqualifications, demonstrating both strong performance and disciplined play.

Like many teams competing early in the season, we took the opportunity between events to significantly improve our robot. This effort resulted in a rebuilt machine we named “Reboot,” reflecting both the technical upgrades and the renewed momentum of our team.

That work paid off at the New York Tech Valley Regional, held April 14–18 at MVP Arena in Albany during Week 7, an event that hosted around 60 teams. Competing with “Reboot,” SparX Robotics once again delivered a strong performance, finishing qualification matches with an 8-3-0 record and earning the 14th seed. The team advanced deep into the double elimination bracket, competing in eight playoff matches before being eliminated just prior to the final rounds. Throughout the competition, SparX maintained a perfect record of zero disqualifications.

One of our playoff matches can be viewed here: https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2026/NYTR/playoffs/12

Across both competitions, SparX Robotics demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and steady growth. The transition to “Reboot” exemplifies our team’s ability to learn quickly, iterate effectively, and return stronger—qualities that will continue to drive our success in future seasons.If you want to get involved as a mentor or sponsor, or donate to our team (robots can cost $20,000 or more to build), or if you know of a Webster Central High School student who would like to join the team, please contact david_schenk@webstercsd.org or keith_karnisky@webstercsd.org. If your student wants to join, we can find a spot for them and their interests!

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(posted 5/10/2026)