Archive | December, 2021

Knucklehead is celebrating 7 years

15 Dec

Eight or nine years ago, when I was still working at Webster Thomas High School, a friend and colleague of mine, Kathy Dummer, shared some exciting news with me. She told me that her husband Len was hoping to take over the old Seitz’s grocery store/post office at the corner of Old Ridge and Bay roads in West Webster, and turn it into a brewpub.

She knew I’d be interested because I wrote a Webster blog. But she also asked me to keep the news on the down-low in case it didn’t happen.

To Webster’s great benefit, Knucklehead Craft Brewing not only came to be, but has continued to get better and better every year.

Knucklehead Craft Brewing, at 426 Ridge Rd., turns seven years old this month. The Dummer family has planned an appropriate celebration to mark the occasion, complete with music throughout the day, food specials, and a few extra special beer selections on tap.

Webster’s own craft brewery has grown up a lot since it opened in 2014. There have been a lot of little improvements along the way, like updating the lighting, freshening up the paint job and featuring regular live music. But it’s the big things that have really made the brewpub a regular stop for much of Webster: more parking, a huge kitchen upgrade, addition of a beautiful beer garden, and expanding the dining/drinking area into their huge back room.

Of course, their craft brews are pretty good, too.

Check it all out for yourself this coming Saturday, from 1 to 10 p.m. at Kucklehead Craft Brewing, 426 Ridge Rd., West Webster, at the corner of Bay. I understand there’s going to be a “secret” beer on tap….

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Collision shop’s new owners very community-oriented

12 Dec

One of the things I like best about community events like White Christmas is that I get to see a lot of old friends, and meet a lot of new people.

Like the Mastrodonato family, the new owners of Diamond Collision at 54 Donovan St., who had set up a table in front of Tom’s Garage on Main Street during the White Christmas Parade of Lights. They were serving up free hot chocolate for anyone who wanted a warm-up on what was a rather chilly evening.

I asked if they were taking donations in exchange for the treat, but was told that no, they just wanted to do something for the Webster community.

I recently exchanged a few emails with Carly Mastrodonato, one of the owners, to find out more about the new business. It became immediately clear that while paint and collision work is their main focus, their commitment to community comes in a close second.

Their community involvement began pretty much on day one, when they held a grand opening party with food, raffles and live music. They donated all the proceeds from that event to Miracle Field.

Since then, the Diamond Collision owners

  • carved pumpkins for the Webster Recreation Center’s Pumpkins on Parade in 2020 and 2021
  • participated in the Village of Webster’s Trick or Treat Trail
  • try to buy local as much as they can, like using McAllister Signs for a lot of their signage
  • and, of course, handed out hot chocolate and candy canes at the Parade of Lights

Carly explained,

It’s important to us to be a part of the community for two very important reasons. Number one, without the community we wouldn’t have a business. It’s the local community that allows us to run a successful business. They put their trust in us, so this is the least we can do. It was a small way to show thanks.

The second reason, we want to be recognized. We don’t want to just be some small collision shop on Donovan Street that no one has heard of. We want people to see Chuck and say “Hey, there is Chuck from Diamond Collision.” My father, like many others, has worked very hard his whole life and is just so happy to finally be a business owner and make this very important decision to be a part of the community as much as we can!

I think it’s important to understand that we truly enjoy this involvement. This is a part of who we are as Diamond Collision and as a family. It brings us joy to be able to give. Even if it is as small as a cup of hot chocolate. I was smiling from ear to ear the entire time at the Parade of Lights and had so many great conversations. That’s what it’s all about! These are the moments that last a lifetime.

On Friday Dec. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m., they’ll host Rochester artist Doug MacDonald and his Art for Sickos van at their shop in Webster. “We are very open and supportive of small businesses,” Carly wrote, “and we want to do everything we can to help and support.”

The Mastrodonato family only took over ownership of Diamond Collision in October, which makes their list of community accomplishments that much more impressive.

“We look forward to being a part of more events within the local community,” Carly added. “It brings us joy to meet people in the community that allow us to be Diamond Collision.”

May I be the first to say, welcome to the village.

Diamond Collision is at 54 Donovan St. You can check them out on their Facebook page, website, and on Instagram at @diamondcollision_webster.

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

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Webster Public Library’s mitten tree — and other library news

11 Dec

Count on the Webster Public Library to really get revved up for the holidays. Everytime I go to their Facebook page I see they’ve added something new and fun.

Let’s start with the “mitten tree.” It’s in the main lobby, awaiting donations of mittens and other cold-weather gear to donate to Hope House.

Donations will be accepted through Jan. 13, and everything will remain in our community, shared with Webster residents.

The Friends of the Library have also set up their holiday book sale, and when I saw it, I was floored by the selection and how downrigth PRETTY the display is.

Hardcover books cover a variety of topics including art, history, travel, cooking, sports, science, performing arts and more, and are just $2 to 4.

Now, let’s talk MUSIC. Two great family-pleasing, live musical performances are on tap. The first features the Roc City Ringers, performing today, Saturday Dec. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. Then, the following Thursday Dec. 16, the Webster Thomas Select Choir takes to the risers for a beautiful vocal concert from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Neither of these events requires pre-registration, but please remember to mask up!

Finally, when you’re at the library for the book sale, concerts, or to drop off your donations to the mitten tree, maake sure to stop by the Artist’s Wall, where this month’s installation features the Arbor Creek Photo Group.

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

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Burkardt Creche a centerpiece of museum’s holiday exhibits

10 Dec

When I was at the Webster Museum last Saturday for White Christmas, I mostly wanted to check out all of the newly decorated miniature Christmas trees that have been placed throughout for their annual Festival of Trees.

But I was delighted to find a few surprises. The most wonderful of those was the gorgeous Nativity scene, the Burkardt Family Creche, which is on display in the front room.

The magnificent hand-crafted creche has a very interesting history, chronicled in an undated newspaper article posted next to it. It’s a story which hasn’t been told recently, so I wanted to highlight it again this year.

Here’s the story, which I quote from the exhibit:

THE BURKARDT FAMILY CRECHE

This creche was made in Germany by C.Jess, a church architect. He made one piece a year between World War I and World War II, starting the first piece in 1918 and finishing the last one in 1944. He gave the creche to Freda and Henrick Seaubert of Frankfurt, Germany. Mrs. Seaubert was a sister of Rudolph Burkardt, Sr. of Salt Rd., Webster.

The Seauberts kept the creche hidden during World War II so that it would not be destroyed even though their home was bombed. It would have been passed on to their only son, but when he was killed during the war, they sent it to the Burkardts in Webster so that it would remain in the family.

There’s more detail in the newpaper article.

The creche is a beautiful work of art and is well worth making a trip to the museum to see. And as long as you’re there, make sure to check out the Festival of Trees and vote for your favorite!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Call 585-265-3308 for more information.

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Webster community mailbag

9 Dec

Some of these “mailbag” items today didn’t actually come through the mail. I found out about them by scrolling through webpages or just saw them when I was out and about in the village.

Take this donation opportunity, for example, which I especially want to point out to patrons of Barry’s Old School Irish. A couple of regular patrons thre are very involved with the Father Laurence Tracy Advocacy Center on North Clinton Ave., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing advocacy services for the residents of the North Clinton neighborhood.

The box propped up on the windowsill in Barry’s musicians’ corner (“Kenny’s Corner,” for those of you REALLY regular customers). Patrons are invited to donate warm socks, hats, gloves, mittens and handwarmers for distribution to those the Father Tracy Center serves.

I’m told that last year the donation box was set up at Mama Lor’s, and it was overflowing. Let’s show them how our Barry’s Family and Webster Village community can do that as well.

Barry’s — and the box — are located at 2 West Main St.

Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?

Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster CSD schools by honoring an educator from the elementary and the secondary levels. 

Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award. Educators include: UPK-12 teachers, special educators, literacy specialists, school counselors, librarians/media specialists, school psychologists, school social workers, speech and language teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. 

Award nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School
  • Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
  • Plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from Webster Central Schools
  • Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association

Nominations are due by February 1, 2022. Click here For more information and a link to the nomination form.  

Webster’s next two blood donation opportunities are coming up next week.

On Tuesday Dec. 14, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church will sponsor a drive at the church, 813 Bay Rd., from 1 to 6 p.m.

Then the next day, Wednesday Dec. 15, a drive will be held at the Webster Firemen’s Building, 172 Sanford St. (at the south end of Firemen’s Field) from 1 to 7 p.m.

The Red Cross has a great promotion going on right now, too. Donate at either one of these drives and get a $10 Amazon gift card emailed to you. Click here to make an appointment.

A few notes from the musical guys of the Chorus of the Genesee. They’ll be performing at Eastview Mall in front of J C. Penney’s on Tuesday Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. This would be a fun time to get some Christmas shopping done.

I can’t make it to that, but I will definitely be taking part in the Chorus’ annual Soup and Caroling Night on Tuesday Dec. 21, beginning at 7 p.m.

For those of you not familiar with this event, here’s what I wrote about my experience a few years ago:

The Chorus has been hosting this evening of caroling for at least 24 years. There were also a whole lot more people at this event. I counted about 60 men, women, children and dogs. I was told that it was more than double what the Chorus usually draws. It helped, I think, that the weather was pretty pleasant.

Everyone gathered at the Harmony House, enjoying coffee and cookies, sheets of music and Santa hats were handed out, and when 7 p.m. rolled around, everyone filed out into the street.

The first stop, as it has been every year, was Webster Eyecare Associates, which is pretty much across the street from the Harmony House. The folks there have come to expect this annual visit by the Chorus carolers, and this year — for the first time — had donut holes and hot chocolate for the chilly singers.

I’m really looking forward to this, as I always do. I can’t say that I did a great job singing last time, but no one could hear me because the Chorus’ beautiful voices pretty much took center stage. But I did have some delicious soup and the company was grand.

This is the kind of thing that really makes our village special, and I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy.

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

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Meet Adam Traub, the Webster Public Library’s new director

7 Dec

As the Webster Public Library welcomes the new year, it will also welcome a brand new director.

On January 3, Adam Traub will officially take over as director for Terri Bennett, who’s retiring after more than 40 years of service.

Traub is currently Associate Director of the Monroe County Library System (MCLS), where he manages the operations of the county’s 20-member library system. Before joining the MCLS, he worked for several years in academia, managing digital and technology services at the University of Rochester and RIT libraries.

A graduate of Nazareth College, Traub didn’t originally plan to pursue a career in the library sciences.

“I was initially going to teach English at the collegiate or high school level,” he said. But then when a snafu at the college postponed his student teaching placements, he saw it as an opportunity to explore a different direction.

“I’d been working in the library (work study) for the past three years, and I really liked it,” he said. “So I decided to get my master’s in library science. I’ll get that, and when I’m done, I’ll see what jobs are available.”

Plus, he added, “I didn’t have to grade, which was very attractive.”

He headed to the University of Buffalo for his MLS and never looked back.

“I have no regrets,” he said. “I’ve found a way to make a living giving things away. … It’s amazing.” 

In accepting the position at the Webster Public Library, Traub is basically coming home. He grew up in Webster, graduated from Webster High School in 1999, and still has family here in town. He and his wife Rachel recently moved to Williamson from the South Wedge and are expecting their first child in March.

Traub hasn’t met all of the staff members yet, but is pretty impressed by what he’s seen so far. He said,

The thing that comes through the first time you walk in this building is the creativity of the staff. When I started my current position (with the MCLS) I visited every single public library location in Monroe County. Staff across the county are amazing. But the creativity here…

When I started, when I came to Webster, they were just putting up their hallway decorations. And right there, there was a giant tree made of paper, it went all the way up. … That’s like a professional level exhibit type thing and I was just floored. …When you go to library school, you don’t get taught any of that. That’s someone’s interest and skill and passion coming out. 

I see really cool things happening with tech, I see really creative use of space which is a whole other skill set. Obviously they’re doing something right. They’re one of the busiest suburban libraries in the county, and not the biggest by population.

I think in some ways, Webster’s swinging above its weight class. 

Fans of the library have nothing to fear; Traub isn’t planning to make a whole lot of sweeping changes right away. His first priority is to get the lay of the land.

I would feel awfully arrogant if I said I had big plans for the library to change. There will be change but right now I think it’s figuring out, what do the staff and the patrons love? What should keep going? Because I find that those cultural touchstones are the most important things for us to keep. 

So my first little bit is getting to know what needs to stay before we start thinking about what needs to change. I think having a healthy amount of humility is important to know what’s important to people and make sure what needs to stay stays, and then figure out what’s not working. 

To that end, Adam hopes to set up a public meet-and-greet before the end of the year. “Terri’s done such an amazing job here, I’m sure people want to know the library’s in good hands.”

Stay tuned for more information about that.

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

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

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Museum’s Tree Festival awaits your votes

6 Dec

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Webster Museum.

I mean, they don’t just have one or two Christmas trees set up, they have 11 them, four-foot tall artificial trees placed on the counters, in the classroom, and tucked among the exhibits all through the museum.

The trees are part of the museum’s annual Festival of Trees Christmas tree decorating contest, where individuals, families and organizations adopt trees, decorate them however they like, then put them out there for community members to vote on for a chance to win a $25 prize.

All of the trees have been decorated and are on display, awaiting visitors’ votes. Votes will be accepted through the end of December.

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Call 585-265-3308 for more information.

I’ve put photos of some of the trees here, but you’ll want to visit the museum to see the rest of them. Or, you can see all the trees and vote on the Webster Museum website.

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Photos from White Christmas

5 Dec

Yesterday the Village of Webster hosted a White Christmas celebration like never before.

Faced with the multiple COVID-related challenges that caused last year’s White Christmas in the Village to be canceled entirely, this year the Business Improvement District partnered with the PTSA to bring the entire celebration outdoors to Gazebo Park.

Over several hours Saturday morning, a few dozen busy elves from the Webster BID, Webster PTSA and Webster Village transformed the park into an incredibly beautiful Santa’s Wonderland, which was great during the day but even more spectacular after sunset. When visitors arrived, they could enter through a light tunnel, walk down Candy Cane Lane to see Santa, then along Peppermint Lane to decorate a Christmas cookie, make a craft at the Toy Shop, and warm up with some hot cocoa. Even more volunteers arrived as the festivities began, assuring that everything ran very smoothly. I saw a lot of high school kids in Santa hats and elf hats — thanks to them for all their help.

The event officially began at 3 p.m., and it wasn’t long before the line to see Santa stretched all the way from the gazebo to the back of the park. The jolly old elf was definitely the biggest draw of the afternoon, but there was plenty more to do and see. Aside from the cookie, craft and hot chocolate tables, BID chairperson Elena Bernardi had lined up a whole afternoon of entertainment, including carolers in the park and on Main Street, and storytime with Jason Poole from the Webster Public Library.

Perhaps it was because most everything was concentrated in one place, but it seemed to me that there was a lot more participation in White Christmas this year than in years past. I think the BID definitely hit on a winning strategy this year, and I hope that at least some of its elements return every year — like Santa at the gazebo. That worked exceptionally well.

The only drawback I found to having everything in Gazebo Park was that many of our small businesses on Main Street didn’t benefit from the crowds of people walking past their doors. At one point in the evening, Rochester Rhapsody was caroling on Main Street, but it would be nice to see more activities up there next year to draw shoppers up to the four corners.

And then of course, there was the parade. As usual, it was a crowd-pleaser, and the reasonable temperatures helped make it a comfortable experience.

Thank you to everyone who made White Christmas and the Light Parade possible. It’s definitely my favorite day of the Village year.

Click here to see my usual gallery of photos, which begin with set-up in the morning. I’ve added some taken by my daughter, who was running around with me last night as my helper elf.

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If you like our trails, you’ll love being a Friend

4 Dec

Early last month I attended my very first Friends of Webster Trails annual meeting. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it was just my first, since I’ve been a member of the Friends for, like, forever. But I figured it was about time I took my support for this great organization one step further. Attending the meeting would be a good way to meet the organization’s leadership (whose names I’ve mentioned in my blog many a time) and get an overview of what my membership dues helped accomplish this year.

The list of those accomplishments was actually pretty impressive, especially given the challenges everyone was facing this last year due to COVID. There were Eagle Scout projects, work days, invasive species abatement, and discussion about a brand new project called the ReTree program.

Here’s a summary written by Communications Chair John Boettcher:

The Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) held their annual meeting at the Liberty Lodge in Finn Park on Monday November 8th. President Anna Taylor and members of the Board reviewed the year’s accomplishments. There were a number of workdays on the trails, some relying on the help of other organizations which resulted in improvements to several areas. Trail building was initiated in the State Road Preserve. Eagle Scout projects sponsored by FWT resulted in several bridges over small creeks. The ReTree program was established to compensate our forests for the expected loss of hemlocks and other tree species due to invasive insects, disease, and climate change.

During the year, FWT participated in several community events receiving positive feedback from the attendees regarding our trail efforts. FWT is supporting the Town’s Open Space Committee and looking for opportunities to add forested land or property adjacent already established trails.

I’ve long been a fan of the terrific trail system we have here in Webster, and know that we have the Friends to thank for that. But it was impressive to hear about everything they do, presented all in one place. These volunteers put in thousands of hours every summer planning, creating and maintaining our trails. It’s really a thankless job, since only a small percentage of the people who use the trails actually sign up as members. (It really doesn’t cost much. Check out the membership page here.)

If you’re not familiar with Webster’s beautiful trails, check out the Friends of Webster Trails website, then get out there and start exploring. If you ARE already a fan, please consider dropping $10 for a single membership or $15 for a family. Your donation will go a long way towards helping these fine folks help US enjoy our town’s natural beauty for years to come.

If you like our trails, you’ll love being a Friend.

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White Christmas details — an update

2 Dec

So I’ve written about this Saturday’s White Christmas in the Village celebration a few times now, but I finally have some updated information to pass your way, courtesy the Webster BID, who’s sponsoring the event.

Here’s the current schedule:

  • Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the gazebo from 3 to 5 p.m.
  • 3 p.m.: caroling by Rochester Rhapsody
  • 3:30 p.m.: caroling by Dancing With Denise
  • 4 p.m.: caroling by the Chorus of the Genesee
  • 4:30 p.m.: Sing-along with Jerry Christopher
  • 5 p.m.: DK Dance
  • 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.: Storytime with Jason Poole from the Webster Public Library at the gazebo
  • The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at Kircher Park and travels west down Main Street

Plus:

  • Toy Land and craft toy making (bring a new unwrapped toy to donate)
  • cookie decorating
  • horse-drawn carriage rides
  • hot cocoa, and much more

This is a don’t-miss event, folks, and it looks like the weather will not be brutally cold. See you in the village.

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

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