A family reunion of sorts took place Friday evening, when employees of the now-closed Hegedorn’s Market gathered for a good-bye picnic.
The event, held in a lodge at Charles Sexton Park, was organized by former front end manager Jeannie Uhl, with help from Cindy Frank and others to track down as many current and former employees as possible.
When I was there, the party was just getting busy. A few dozen people were already there, with more arriving every minute. They were seated inside and outside the lodge, enjoying a dish-to-pass dinner and visiting with their former colleagues.
They shared laughs, memories both happy and sad, and lots of stories — like how long-time customers would come to the store that final week just to take a stroll through the aisles. And how one more of the painted ceiling tiles had finally been claimed by its original artist.
But mostly they enjoyed one last chance to all be together as a family, like they were when they were working at Webster’s hometown grocery.
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(posted 7/8/2023)
webster on the web 
Heartwarming story Missy. Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
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A wonderful story about the warmth and caring that was Hegedorns. Thanks, Missy
Thank you!
Great story of an ending era of people and friends!
Thank you!
For generations, Hegedorn’s was a great first-job for high-school students. And, as young folks tend to do, couples formed. A few years ago I discovered that many married relationships had their beginnings at Hegedorn’s over its 70 span. According to some old-timers, dozens of young folks met their spouses there. Kind of a different spin on a ‘family business’ …