News and family-friendly events from the Friends of Webster Trails

21 Oct

The autumn edition of my Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) newsletter popped up in my email box the other day, and as usual, it was packed with lots of great updates about how much the Friends have accomplished in the last several months. And as usual, I’d like to share some of those accomplishments with you all.

But first, I want to highlight two family-friendly events the Friends have scheduled in just a few weeks.

The first is a Family Scavenger Hunt on Saturday Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kent Park, 1700 Schlegel Rd., held in conjunction with the Webster Recreation Center.

Participants can choose their own adventure as they explore the park, completing a fun scavenger hunt along the way. Three different skill levels will be available for kids aged 2 to 12, so children of all ages can participate, and every child will earn a prize.

Cost is $5 per child, and please preregister at the Recreation Center website. You can pay when you get to the hike. Sign in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The hunt will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Proceeds will be donated to the Webster Arboretum to help improve Webster’s trails.

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That evening, the Friends will host their annual Hot Cocoa Hike, held this year at State Road Nature Preserve, 1571 State Rd.

This free, self-guided, family-friendly hike will be about one mile from start to finish, and includes a stop along the way for (you guessed it) hot cocoa! The path will be clearly marked, and there will be lights along the way to help guide you, but please bring a flashlight to help out as well. (And your own travel mug.)

Participants are asked to plan to leave the parking lot between 7 and 8 p.m. so that you can arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. The trail will begin on the right-hand side of the parking lot. Please leave your dogs at home.

There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends have enough hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Now, on to the newsletter

If you enjoyed hiking any of our trails this summer, you’ll notice how great they’re looking — and keeping them looking great has been a challenge with all the windstorms knocking down trees left and right. The dedicated FWT volunteers have been working hard all summer to maintain these trails. Here are some highlights:

  • Habitat/ReTree Project: Volunteers planted 151 native trees and shrubs. The purpose of this project is to restore and protect the forests in Webster by planting native species, improving wildlife habitat, and making local woodlands more resilient to insects, diseases, and other threats. Thanks to the Ciena Corporation, who provided some volunteers for this project, for the Girl Scouts, who potted some seedlings, and to RG&E for donating nursery stock.
  • Bird Sanctuary Trail: This was much improved over the summer with lots of new gravel and the installation of new drainage pipes. Soon the Friends also plan to install a dog waste station at the Orchard St. trailhead.
  • Gosnell Big Woods Preserve: In addition to doing some much-needed cleaning along the fence line, FWT volunteers were able to rescue a wounded osprey, with help from the Braddock Bay Birding Observatory.
  • Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve: The Whiting Rd. Red Trail now has a new boardwalk, thanks to the efforts of Maria Frick, who completed it in June for her Eagle Scout project.

The newsletter also had a rather interesting analysis of who’s actually using the trails. Hikers by far comprise the greatest number of users (and runners from my running group are included among them), at 64%. They’re followed by dog walkers at 29%, and bikers are 7%. And a separate tally of the number of people using the paths around Charles Sexton (North Ponds) Park counted an amazing 4,000 a week.

If you include yourself among these folks who use our trails, and you aren’t yet a member of the Friends of Webster Trails, please consider showing them some love by becoming a member. 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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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 10/21/2026)

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Webster community mailbag

20 Oct

As the leaves are just beginning to fall with conviction, both the Town and Village of Webster are ramping up their leaf pick-up schedules.

Here’s the information in a nutshell for the town, taken from the Town of Webster website:

Leaf pick-up began last Friday, with limited crews on the west side of town (Zone 1). It will proceed through five zones (in numerical order) toward southeastern Webster and the county line. How quickly they get through all the zones will depend on the weather conditions and how many leaves have fallen. Subsequent rounds will be completed as necessary.

The town hasn’t yet published a date when they expect to complete the collection. You can check the Town website for updates. You can also check the map to see which zone you’re in.

The Village of Webster leaf collection is also underway. Crews will take regular passes through the village until the beginning of December, or until the first heavy snowfall, whichever comes first.

For both the town and village collections, please remember:

  • Place leaves at the edge of your lawn
  • Please do not place leaves in the roadway, gutters, or drainage ditches
  • Do not bag the leaves
  • Do not place brush, rocks, wood, plastic, or other foreign material with your leaves

Books and flowers

A reminder that the Friends of the Webster Public Library will host their next Book Sale from Oct. 21 through 24.

The sale begins on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m., open to members of the Friends. A Vintage Book Sale will also be held at this time for the general public. The sale opens up to everyone on Thursday Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. On Friday and Saturday you can fill a bag with books for just $5.

Plus, the Friends will also be selling Kittelberger’s Bouquet Cards, from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3. 

Drug Take-Back Event

Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) will host a DEA National Drug Take-Back event on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Town Court, 1002 Ridge Rd. This will be a drive-through event so you don’t even have to get out of your car. Registration is not required, but if you register you’ll get a reminder via email about the event. You can register and get more details here.

The event is being held in partnership with the Town of Webster and the Webster Police Department. Its goal is to help residents prevent the misuse of potentially dangerous unused, unwanted, or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications by safely disposing of them.

WHEN is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving Webster families for 30 years. Research shows that the longer a young person waits before trying drugs or alcohol, the less likely they are to become addicted later in life. WHEN works to delay, decrease, and prevent substance use by underage youth.

From the Webster Recreation Center

There’s always so many great events going on at the Webster Recreation Center (including this weekend’s Pumpkins on Parade) that I really can’t easily mention them all, but here are a few highlights in the next few weeks:

The first is a visit by CarFit on Monday, Oct. 26. CarFit is a free educational program developed by the American Society on Aging, in collaboration with AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Trained volunteers will be on site to offer older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them and provide guidelines to enhance their safety as drivers. It takes about 20 minutes and looks at things like adjustments to your car’s mirrors, steering wheels, seats, etc., to maximize safety.

The event will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the smaller parking lot adjacent to the Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. There’s no charge and no appointment is necessary. Just drop in.

Craft show to benefit WSPS

The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WSPS) is hosting an indoor craft sale on Saturday Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. They’re expecting more LOTS OF vendors, so make sure to add this one to your holiday shopping calendar.

WSPS is a group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District. They help residents get to and from medical and dental appointments, and provide rides to pharmacies, banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services. Let’s all stop by and support their efforts.

And this looks like fun.

On Friday, Nov. 13, everyone is a suspect when the Rec Center hosts a Murder Mystery Dinner Party, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

$30 per person includes a chicken parmesan dinner and interactive murder mystery “mayhem.” Click here to register for this 55+ activity.

… and stuff from the museum

The Webster Museum is pleased to again offer 12 Months of Flowers cards from Kittelberger Florist!  Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card at the museum for $50 between November 23 and December 12, and receive one bouquet, each month, for 12 consecutive months.

Bouquets must be picked up each month at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. Kittelberger cards can be purchased from any museum volunteer, or during museum open hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and during the Village of Webster Winter Wonderland celebration on Saturday, December 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. Payment is by cash or check only; checks must be made payable to Webster Museum.

Speaking of the museum, they’re starting to plan for this year’s Tree Festival, also held in conjunction with Winter Wonderland festivities on Dec. 5.

Museum volunteers are currently taking sign ups to decorate one of their 20 miniature Christmas trees, which are distributed throughout the museum for the holiday season. You can sign up as a community organization, a school group, a family or just yourself. Trees and lights are provided. Creativity and ornaments are up to you.

Visitors to the museum will be voting on their favorites, and prizes will be awarded. The museum is also looking for musical groups to perform during the festival. If you’d like to decorate a tree or volunteer your musical talents for this much anticipated event at the Webster Museum please call Gwen Hoffman @ 585-738-6221.

Still speaking of the Museum…

On Saturday, Nov. 7, elementary school-aged children are invited to hear a story and learn a bit of history from Mrs. Nesbitt, a retired elementary school teacher. Mrs. Nesbitt will lead a discussion about the historic one-room school house located at the back of the museum, and teach children about communication methods over the years, including the telephone.

The event happens on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. Parents must remain in the museum during the activities.

Women’s Club announces November meeting

Kathy Miller from Seniors Helping Seniors will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19 at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd., Webster. Kathy will speak about how her agency provides non-medical care to seniors by employing active seniors to assist others with daily tasks, companionship and transportation.

Social time begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by a business meeting at noon, lunch at 12:30 p.m. and Kathy’s presentation at 1 p.m. Lunch will feature a variety of pizzas, salad, beverages and dessert. Cost is $22. Please mail your check by Nov. 5, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, to Kim Tauriello, 303 Phillips Rd., Webster, 14580.

New members are always welcome, and warm camaraderie is included at no charge!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/20/2026)

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Two great Village events coming up — one for kids, one for adults

19 Oct

Hot on the heels of Sunday’s blog about the Webster Recreation Center’s Pumpkins on Parade, here are two more great autumn and Halloween-themed events you’re not going to want to miss.

The first is the Village of Webster’s ever-popular Trick-or-Treat Trail, which will return to downtown streets on Halloween Day, Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For three hours on what is usually a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon, children and their adults can wander the village, popping in and out of businesses, trick-or-treating. Full costumes are expected of course, and not just for the kids! It’s always fun to see entire families dressed up, often as a common theme. I love taking photos of cool parents who get into the spirit.

The trick-or-treating will begin at 11 a.m., and the costume contest runs from 11 a.m. to noon. Don’t worry about missing out on any of the village festivities, because it only takes a few minutes to file through the Community Meeting Room on South Ave. and have your photo taken for the judging. The Trail continues through 2 p.m.

So grab your kids, get everyone into costumes (including you, too, Mom and Dad), then stroll through the village, visiting friendly merchants who will be handing out candy. This is a great chance to check out some of the newer businesses in town, or even some older businesses you’ve never been in before. The Webster Volunteer Fire Department will also be out on their front apron, handing out candy (they have to scale back their open house this year because of repairs to their bay floor).

And don’t forget to turn the corner on Lapham Park and take the short walk to the Webster Museum. The volunteers there always have some sort of scavenger hunt planned.

Keep an eye out for me, my camera and my PRESS hat; I’ll be wandering the streets, too, taking photos of as many kids and families in costume as I can. Then I’ll post a really big follow-up photo gallery. (Click here for my gallery from last year.)

This next village event is the annual Bourbon Bash, scheduled this year for Saturday Nov. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St.

This is a fun evening out with family and friends, a chance to sample many different bourbons, paired with tasty treats from our local restaurants. Local distilleries, along with Webster Wine and Spirits, will be participating. The event will also feature raffles and bourbon products for sale. ID is required at entry.

Click here for tickets. They cost $39.19, which includes the Eventbrite fee.

The Trick-or-Treat Trail and the Bourbon Bash are sponsored by the Webster Business Improvement District. Stay tuned for more information about future village events, the Winter Wonderland celebration (with the ever-popular Parade of Lights) on Saturday, Dec. 5.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/19/2026)

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The pumpkins are parading again

17 Oct

One of my favorite events of the entire Webster year, Pumpkins on Parade, is returning to the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr., on Saturday Oct. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

This is a super fun and totally free family event where participants stroll along the mile-long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center, which is lined with hundreds of creatively carved, humorous, scary and downright weird jack-o’-lanterns. At the end of the path, there’s free cider and donuts, lawn games, a family photo area, and for the kids, a hay maze, roller slide and more. And it’s ALL FREE. There’s also a shorter path for children and seniors.

The wide variety of designs will blow you away. There are lots of ghosts and witches, bats and spiders, but the kids will also enjoy seeing characters they recognize (I’ve seen Super Mario and Roblox-themed pumpkins, for example). Click here for a photo gallery from last year.

There are always lots of special light up elements, and in previous years there’s been a (not-so-scary) haunted house and a witch at her cauldron. It’s all just super cool. In short, this is a great FREE activity for kids of all ages. And did I mention free cider and donuts??? With any luck, the weather will be a bit better this year — you may remember that last year was rather windy, rainy and stinky.

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BUT the success of this event depends on community participation. The Webster Recreation Center needs several hundred carved pumpkins to make the walk amazing, an there are two ways you can help with that.

The first is by being part of a Family Carving Night on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rec Center. Bring the whole family and carve a pumpkin for the display. All supplies, plus pizza and water, will be provided. Cost is $5 per person, and registration is required. Click here and enter program #3012208-A to secure your spot.

If you don’t want to join that fun time, you can make some jack-o-lanterns at home, then drop them off at the Rec Center Friday, Oct. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every submitted carved pumpkin will earn an entry into a drawing for a Halloween-themed basket from Diamond Collision. Then make sure to come back Saturday night for the parade and look for your creations!

But even if you don’t want to carve a pumpkin, make sure to bring your family out for the event. Pumpkins on Parade takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 24 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There will be plenty of parking in the Xerox lots across from the Rec Center.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/17/2026)

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News from the school district

16 Oct

Two items of interest today from the Webster Central School District.

The first is for veterans: To honor the service and sacrifice of our country’s military, Spry Middle School students and staff are hosting their annual free spaghetti dinner for Webster veterans, active duty service members, and their families. This special event is a heartfelt thank you to those who have served our nation.

The dinner will take place on Thursday, November 5 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., in Spry Middle School’s cafetorium at 119 South Avenue, and feature a complimentary meal of spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert.

Reservations are requested. Please call Spry Middle School at (585) 216-0093. Takeout is available for those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home. For those who’d like to pick up an order, please call ahead to reserve a meal. Attendees and those picking up takeout orders should enter the school from Route 250, using the entrance at the back of the cafetorium.

This dinner is made possible by the generous support of Spry Middle School Builders Club, Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396, Spry Middle School Student Council, Wegmans, Webster Community Chest, Walmart, and A&G Food Service in appreciation of the service of local veterans and active duty service members.

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Second, the call has gone out for this year’s Oak Tree Award nominations.

The annual Oak Tree Award recognizes excellence in education, celebrating one elementary educator and one secondary educator each school year. Recipients exemplify outstanding performance in their field, an unyielding commitment to their students, and exceptional leadership within the community.

Nominations are open to the entire community. Any Webster resident, district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a Webster CSD educator for the Elementary or Secondary Oak Tree Award. If your life or your child’s life has been positively impacted by an educator, or if there is a particular teacher who stands out and deserves recognition, the WTA and PTSA encourage you to submit a nomination.

To be eligible for the Oak Tree Award, nominees must currently hold a full-time position in Webster CSD and plan to continue in the district for the next school year or retire from Webster CSD at the end of the current school year. Eligible positions include preK–12 classroom teachers, school counselors, psychologists, social workers, librarians, media and language specialists, as well as speech, occupational, and physical therapists. Additionally, nominees must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience in Webster CSD and hold active memberships in both the Webster Central PTSA and the WTA.

The deadline for all submissions is January 29, 2027, but community members are urged not to wait until the last minute. Submissions can be completed online here. For full details regarding the award, eligibility and recognition guidelines, click here.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/16/2026)

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Truck or Treat to benefit Pirate Toy Fund

16 Oct

Here’s a very quick post today about an event I just found out about, but it’s coming up fast and sounds like a lot of fun.

It’s a “Trunk or Treat,” hosted by the Webster Schroeder chapter of the National Honor Society, scheduled for this Sunday, Oct. 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The event will be set up at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. in the GOAL parking lot (on your right as you approach the main entrance from Ridge Rd.) and will feature donuts, cider — and of course, CANDY. Wear your costumes!

ALSO, the NHS students will be collecting unused, unwrapped toys to benefit the Pirate Toy Fund. So please consider bringing a donation for the kids!

Questions? Email Leslie_Hall@webstercsd.org.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/16/2026)

Enjoy a hike and hot cocoa with the Friends of Webster Trails

14 Oct

The Friends of Webster Trails are finalizing their plans for their next Hot Cocoa Hike, which will be held this year on Saturday, Nov. 7 at State Road Nature Preserve, 1571 State Rd.

This free, self-guided, family friendly hike will be about one mile from start to finish, and includes a stop along the way for (you guessed it) hot cocoa! The path will be clearly marked, and there will be lights along the way to help guide you, but please bring a flashlight to help out as well. (And your own travel mug.)

Participants are asked to plan to leave the parking lot between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. so that you can arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. The trail will begin on the right-hand side of the parking lot.

To help everyone enjoy the evening, please leave your dogs at home; you can bring them back to enjoy the trail another time.

The motto for the evening is carry in, carry out; please take everything you bring with you when you leave. There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends have enough hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Remember,

  • this is a self-guided hike
  • bring your own travel mug and flashlight
  • wear comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear

This is a really fun way to explore one of Webster’s newest trail systems, and a great way to meet some of your like-minded neighbors.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/14/2026)

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Some exciting Parade of Lights news

13 Oct

(…. Well, I think it’s exciting, anyway.) I’ve been asked to act as emcee for this year’s Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 5!!!

As most of you already know, the Parade of Lights is the spectacular climax to the Village of Webster’s annual Winter Wonderland festivities. It begins at 6:30 p.m. on East Main St., and travels west on Main Street to Fireman’s Field. All of the participants — fire trucks, bands, community group floats — everyone and everything is decked out in twinkling Christmas lights as they parade by. It’s really a sight to see.

And I get to announce it all from a perch above the crowd!!!!

Sign-ups are happening right now, so if your community group wants to be involved, make sure to reach out to the organizers by Nov. 15. Click here to access the application form. And when you apply, make sure you add something fun for me to say about your group.

What I find equally exciting is that the parade organizers are asking that, in lieu of a registration fee, participating groups donate to Making Spirits Bright, to help raise funds for the amazing work they do helping the families of Webster during the holidays. Making Spirits Bright (MSB) is an all-volunteer, adopt-a-family program which provides holiday joy to deserving families in the greater Rochester, NY region. They’ve assisted more than 600 families since 2014. Every dollar donated helps them help more families.

So, get your group signed up and let’s get pumped for this year’s Winter Wonderland and the Parade of Lights, both scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5. More details to come about both.

(And yes, someone has already asked me who will be taking photos of this year’s parade, which is what my role usually is. Maybe I can do it from the podium. We’ll see.)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/13/2026)

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Community invited to Webster SparX annual Rah Rah Cha Ruckus

12 Oct
A few images from past competitions

The Webster SparX Robotics Team (FIRST® Team 1126) invites community members, prospective students, and robotics enthusiasts to cheer on the team at the annual Rah Cha Cha Ruckus on Saturday, October 17, at the Nazareth University Golisano Training Center, 4245 East Ave., Rochester.

The Rah Cha Cha Ruckus is a high-energy, Halloween-themed, off-season competition featuring regional high school robotics teams competing head-to-head. The local event gives robotics teams a chance to use last year’s robots to practice their skills and get new members up to speed.

The event kicks off with an opening ceremony at 8:15 a.m., followed by dynamic alliance matches running throughout the day. For families and students curious about FIRST Robotics, the event provides a firsthand look at high school engineering in action within a festive, community-focused environment. It’s free and open to the public.

Webster SparX Team 1126 is comprised of students from both Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas high schools and is actively recruiting new members for the upcoming season. Opportunities are available for both STEM and non-STEM students, including roles in mechanical design, programming, graphic design, marketing, fundraising, and team logistics.

Each year starting in January, FIRST Robotics Competition teams work alongside adult technical and business mentors during an intense six-week build window. Teams design, program, and construct industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed game in three-team alliances, operating under the principle of Coopertition®. Teams also raise funds, establish brand identities, and promote STEM literacy across their local communities.

For more information about the SparX robotics team or joining for the upcoming season, visit the team website, or stop by the pit area at the Rah Cha Cha Ruckus on October 17 to say high, get a close-up look at the action, and ask some questions.

About FIRST®

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is the world’s leading youth robotics community, delivering hands-on STEM learning that inspires innovation, builds confidence, and prepares kids for life through mentorship, teamwork, creativity, and engineering challenges.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/12/2026)

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October History Bit: an old bell finds a new home

11 Oct

A wee bit of railroad history is ringing out at Webster Union Cemetery.

Actually, “wee” is a bit of a misnomer, because this piece of railroad history is a huge brass bell which measures about 18″ tall, 18″ in diameter, and weighs around 400 lbs, which now sits proudly on top of the building near Webster Union Cemetery’s flagpole.

Not much is known about the bell’s provenance, aside from the fact that it dates to 1919 and was once attached to a steam engine which traveled through the Southern Tier. Back in the early 20th century, bells like these could have served several functions, but mostly as a warning. For example, they might have been rung as the train approached a road or pedestrian crossing, or when a locomotive was starting, backing up or moving through a busy yard.

The huge bell was donated to Webster Union Cemetery by the Sudore family. From 1969 to 2025, it hung atop the home of Michael and Helen Sudore on Rt. 250. No one knows for sure how they actually came to own the massive antique (the story depends on who you ask). But once acquired, it was no longer used for its original purpose of warning pedestrians of an approaching locomotive. Instead, Helen used it as a dinner bell which could be heard far and wide.

When Helen passed away in 2025 and the house went up for sale, family members wanted to make sure the bell found a good home. They initially considered placing it at another family member’s home, but realized it would be better in a more centralized location. Helen had served as Webster Union Cemetery’s treasurer for many years, and Mike and his daughter had also served on the board. In addition, about 40 members of the Sudore family are buried there or have graves there. With so many family connections to the cemetery, Webster Union seemed like the natural choice.

So last fall, family members offered the bell to Webster Union Cemetery president George Baker, who didn’t hesitate to accept the generous donation.

Two weeks ago, the bell was finally hoisted to its new home. The Sudore family hopes it will ring for generations to come, marking special moments and honoring those laid to rest at Webster Union. Beneath it, a plaque installed by the family expresses that hope: “May the music of the bell ring out in honor and memory of your loved one.”

And so the beautiful brass locomotive bell — once a railroad warning, then a dinner bell — begins a new chapter in its long life.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/11/2026)

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