Archive | August, 2024

Don’t blink! Check out the library’s tiny art display

19 Aug

Even if you’re not a regular Webster Public Library patron, I recommend you go back as often as you can, because you’ll almost ALWAYS come across some new decoration or display or special event that will pique your interest.

Case in point: the library’s month-long “tiny art” exhibit set up in the lobby, next door to the Community Room. The exhibit is the work of Colleen Hernandez, Teen and Family Experiences Librarian, who organized it earlier this summer to give kids a chance to get creative and be part of their very own art exhibit.

So actually, the exhibit is not really Colleen’s work; it’s the work of 60 young people of all ages, who read about the “tiny art” project and decided to strut their artistic stuff.

Colleen told me she started advertising the fun event earlier this summer, when participants were encouraged to pick up blank canvases at the library and, well, decorate them. Artists had all of July to perfect their work, and then bring them back to the library in August for display.

About 100 mini canvases went home, Colleen said, and 60 were returned, all of which are now on display. It’s pretty amazing the different ways the artists chose to decorate their canvases, using so many different materials and colors.

But this is where we all come in: all this month, library patrons are encouraged to stop by and vote for their favorite pieces. The display will be taken down the first week of September, so make sure to get there soon. The winning prize? “Fame and glory,” Colleen said with a smile.

Beware: it’s a difficult choice, and the photos below really do NOT do these tiny works of art justice.

The Webster 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 Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 8/19/2024)

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History came alive at Webster Union Cemetery’s 200th anniversary celebration

18 Aug

I talked to a lot of dead people on Saturday.

Like Lillian Witmer, owner of Witmer’s General Store, which anchored Webster’s four corners for more than 60 years. And Robert Woodhull, a Revolutionary War spy originally from Setauket, Long Island. And Luther Curtice, a driving force behind the beautiful and historic cobblestone Webster Baptist Church.

They and several other of Webster’s founding fathers and notable citizens were hanging out near their grave sites at Webster Union Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, sharing their stories as part of the cemetery’s 200th anniversary celebration.

The event was the culmination of a year and a half of planning and effort on the part of a small, hard-working committee led by George Baker and Beverly Wallwork. They were supported by a few dozen more volunteers, who pulled together countless details from recruiting actors and collecting props to putting up tents and ordering lunch. That’s not to mention the men, women and children who played the parts of our former Webster residents; they were tasked with remembering very long scripts, which they performed flawlessly, and — as you can imagine — many, many times over as small clumps of visitors worked their way through the cemetery.

In addition to the actor portrayals, there were also opportunities to learn more about headstone cleaning and watch the fascinating process involved in etching new names and dates onto headstones. And along the Heroes’ Walk, you could read short biographies about lots more well-known Webster residents buried at Webster Union, like “Charlie” Riedel and Abram Foster, one of Webster’s earliest settlers.

It rained briefly during the four-hour event, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from wandering through the cemetery’s beautiful grounds, meeting the actors, watching the demonstrations and enjoying popcorn and cookies. It was an outstanding way to enjoy the beauty of Webster Union Cemetery, and learn about Webster history from the people who started it all.

Congratulations to the Webster Union Cemetery 200th Anniversary committee for a job well done.

In case you’re interested, here’s who I met on Saturday:

Willie Conant
Robert Woodhull
Jonas Whiting

Willie Conant (played by Samuel Torrez); Willie worked as a brakeman for the railroad, but died when he was just 21 years old when his foot got caught when he was on top of a rail car.  

Robert Woodhull, (Richard Keefer); a Revolutionary War spy from Setauket, Long Island, and member of the Culper Spy ring (but he refused to fess up to that). His family owned a sawmill on Woodhull Rd. 

Jonas Whiting (Robert Palmer) a Minuteman in the Revolutionary War, he fought at Lexington & Concord, and after the war was given land as payment for his service. He lived in what we now know as the White House on Lake Rd.

Dewey Burnett
Julia Pierce
Lillian Witmer

Dewey Burnett (Jayvon Davis); Dewey was in Buffalo preparing to ship out to serve in the Navy when he contracted the Spanish flu and died at just 18 years old.

Julia Pierce (Izabella Wigdzinski); Dewey’s cousin. A Webster High School teacher, Julia was a suffragette and met Susan B. Anthony. 

Lillian Witmer (Heather Schmidt); Lillian was a lifelong Webster resident and owner of Witmer’s General Store, which stood for more than 60 years at the corner of East Main St. and South Ave. (the former Jeff’s Computer store).

Minerva (Foster) Strowger
Ebenezer Curtice
Luther Curtice

Minerva (Foster) Strowger (Deanna Burrows); she and her husband owned Nine Mile Pt. Boarding House, which later became a resort. Legend has it that rum-runners would pass by the resort and hide their contraband cargo in the hedges, which might be one reason the business is now known as Hedges Nine Mile Point restaurant.  

Ebenezer Curtice (Dave DiFranco); a Revolutionary War private who fought at Lexington & Concord, after the war he started an orchard on his land, which helped establish Webster as a leader in fruit production. 

Luther Curtice (John Schmeelk); Ebenezer’s grandson, Luther was a driving force behind building the historic Webster Baptist Church from cobblestones. He came up with the method of making sure that cobblestones were all equally sized, by pushing them through a hole in a board.

Following are some other photos from the day. And be sure to check out this great feature put together by Fox Rochester about the celebration, which ran on Good Day Rochester and features Webster Union President George Baker.

  • See the rum hidden in the hedges?
  • Cherie Wood (in purple) explains the process of cleaning headstones
  • Willie Conant (played by Samuel Torrez) stands by his headstone.

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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 8/18/2024)

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Thank you, McAllister Signs, from all us hikers

17 Aug

My regular blog readers know how much I love our Webster trail system, and how often I preach that we should NOT take it for granted. The Friends of Webster Trails — all volunteers — do an excellent job building and maintaining these trails, which now number more than 30 and stretch for 36 miles.

But today I have to fess up. There’s something about these trails that even I’ve taken for granted: the signage.

Whenever I hike our trails, I’ve come to expect that anytime I wonder where I am or how far I’ve come on a particular spur, right around the corner there’s going to be a multi-colored map pinpointing my exact location. Recently, I learned that we have McAllister Signs to thank.

This is the message I saw on the Friends of Webster Trails Facebook page:

That way? This way? Which way?

When you’re in one of Webster’s preserves, there’s never a question, thanks to the amazing maps from our partner, McAllister Signs. When new trails were added to Four Mile Creek, Friends mapped the trail and McAllister made the high-quality signs you see at each intersection. Thanks, McAllister!

Yes, thank you, McAllister Signs, from all of us who enjoy Webster’s natural beauty.

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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 8/16/2024)

Annette’s Cafe to replace Mozzeroni’s in the village

16 Aug

The Village of Webster is getting a cafe.

Work will begin soon on the village’s newest little restaurant, Annette’s, which will be taking over the Mozzeroni’s location at 27 West Main St.

If you’re at all familiar with the Pultneyville Deli on Lake Rd. in Williamson, you already know the kind of quality, home-cooked meals that you’ll find at Annette’s, because the owner, Nan Kent, also owns the Deli. She said that her plans are to be open for lunch and dinner, offering “unique sandwiches, salads, pizzas, comfort food and a few starters. Much of our food at the deli is homemade, and we want to bring that same quality to Annette’s.”

Renovations to the old Mozzeroni’s will begin on Sept. 1. Nan said,

We are changing out the old floor, tables, paint colors and freshening up the location to give it some warmth & character. We are working on some new menu dishes in the kitchen in Pultneyville, including a retro reuben, blueberry pizza and some vegan dishes. We are also bringing a few of our best-selling sandwich items from the deli. 

She hopes to be able to open sometime in October, but added, “these things take as long as they take, so it may be November.”

As for the name? It fits perfectly with the new cafe’s small town, family-oriented approach.

Nan explained, “Annette’s is named after my late mom, who together with my dad raised five kids, and she had a hard and fast rule that we all sat down and ate dinner together every night.” 

Sounds like Annette’s is going to be a perfect fit for the Village of Webster. Stay tuned for more updates.

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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 8/16/2024)

Village introduces new website

15 Aug

A few weeks ago I posted a blog about the Village of Webster’s new online newsletter, View From Main Street. What I didn’t mention in that blog is that the Village has also recently updated its website.

Right from the get-go, website visitors are greeted with some photos highlighting the village’s summertime floral beauty. Below that, there’s an easy-to-navigate menu directing visitors to several of the most popular landing places on the site.

Also on that home page is basic information about where Village Hall is located, the office hours and phone numbers, plus a quick-view calendar of events.

And that’s all. That’s everything on the home page, which is great. It’s attractive, clear and clean. No trying to fumble through a lot of information you don’t need. Just choose the topic you have a question about — meetings, passports, residential services, what have you — and with one click, you’re there.

Combine the new website with the new bi-weekly newsletter, and Village of Webster residents have two great places to get Village news.

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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 8/15/2024)

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August History Bit: Webster Union Cemetery

14 Aug

Webster Union Cemetery, located at the corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull Rd., is one of the richest historical sites in Webster. 

Farmland was donated for the first known burial in 1817, when a Webster child needed a place to rest. It was originally called The Burial Ground, Lakeside, Union Cemetery of Webster. Since this caused some confusion between other areas near Webster, especially Union Hill Cemetery, the name was officially changed to Webster Union Cemetery in April 1954.

In 1859, Webster’s first settler, Abram Foster, was buried there at the age of 90. He was the first of many prominent families to come, including the Burnetts, Curtices, Fosters, Pelletts, Woodhulls, Whitings, and Wrights. Veterans from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are buried there as well.

The cemetery is also stunningly beautiful. In 2008 it was awarded the Historic Landscape Award from the Landmark Society of Western New York, and was listed on the National List of Historic Places in 2022.

This month, Webster Union Cemetery celebrates 200 years as an active burial ground, and community members are invited to the party. 

On Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and “meet” some of Webster’s earliest settlers. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation. Admission is free. 

Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Find out more about all of Webster’s historic cemeteries at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.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 8/14/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

13 Aug

You’re going to see a lot of repeats in this week’s mailbag, because there are a LOT of great events still coming up this summer.

Let’s begin with news from the Webster Recreation Center. Earlier this month they sent out their 55+ August newsletter, and while I won’t tell you everything that’s in (you can click on the link and read it for yourself), there are a few things I want to highlight.

The first is their Talks on Tuesday series, which is a variety of FREE lectures and presentations for adult learners over age 55. They run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday, and registration is requested. But you do NOT have to be a member of the Rec Center to attend. Click the link above to see what’s coming up.

The Rec Center’s final Music at the Arb concert is coming up Thursday Aug. 22 when popular local entertainer Sarah De Vallière takes to the Arberetum’s gazebo stage. The concert will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., and it’s free and open to the community. There’s plenty of room for music lovers to relax in chairs or on blankets, with a cooler at their side filled with drinks and snacks.

The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Rec Center at the Red Wings

This Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tom Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem. (Yes, the same Sarah De Vallière I talked about above).

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; click here to get yours.

Webster Union Cemetery turns 200

Here’s a reminder about a great opportunity to learn more about Webster history by actually speaking to some of its earliest settlers. (Well, not really. But we can pretend.)

On Saturday Aug. 17 From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Webster Union Cemetery will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and chat with some of the people who founded our town. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation.

The celebration will take place Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Admission is free.

Read more about this important celebration in this blog.

Free rabies clinic

On Wednesday Aug. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Town of Webster is partnering with Monroe County Department of Public Health to host a free rabies vaccination clinic at the Webster Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway.

All dogs in the Town of Webster are required to be licensed with proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Support the Marching Band. Eat good food

The Webster Marching Band will host a Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday Aug. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fireman’s Field, 172 Sanford St.

The band promises at least 13 food trucks and vendors, more than 30 draft vendors, a kids’ play place ($10 per child), free face painting, vendor raffles and a 50/50 drawing. The band will also be offering a preview of their 2024 show, “Death of a Star,” with performances at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce Breakfast is Aug. 23

The Webster Chamber of Commerce’s next monthly Breakfast Before Business Meeting, is Friday Aug. 23 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. 

There’s a new location! Beginning this month, the meetings will be held at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

The meetings begin with networking time. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m., and afterwards, every attendee will get a chance to introduce themselves at pass-the-mic time. Door prizes will also be awarded, and you can get even more recognition for your business if you bring one to add to the pot.

These events are open to the public as well as Chamber members. Cost is $19 and reservations are required. Click here to do so.

Blood drives near you

Several blood drives have been scheduled in our area over the next month. Here’s the rundown:

  • Thursday Aug. 29, 1-6 p.m., Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 4, 8 a.m. to noon, Bay View YMCA, 1209 Bay Rd.
  • Friday Aug. 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laurelton Fire Dept., 405 Empire Blvd.
  • Tuesday Sept. 10, 1-6 p.m., St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 11, 1-6 p.m., Webster American Legion, 818 Ridge Rd.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to sign up and learn more about the August and September giveaways. Or log onto redcrossblood.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 8/13/2024)

Steve’s Custom Canvas is Chamber’s August Business of the Month

12 Aug

Congratulations to Steve’s Custom Canvas & Upholstery, honored as the August Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Steve’s Custom Canvas, owned and operated by Steve Palis, is a homegrown business spanning over three decades, providing our community with marine, auto and awning needs for canvas, upholstery, waterproofing and repairs. It’s located at 765-B County Line Rd. in Ontario.

Upon presenting the award to Palis at the Chamber’s July Breakfast Before Business meeting, Chamber President & CEO Barry Howard applauded the business, saying, “Steve has been able to maintain his business over the past 33 years because of his craftsmanship. He also delivers his skill reliably, with a commitment to his customers.”

Palis started his business in May 1991 at Sutters Marine on Empire Boulevard. (Fun fact, Palis needed canvas for his boat, so he bought the business which could do the work and paid the previous owner to train him to do his own service.) In the beginning, he operated out of a 20-foot trailer, with a rain shed for working on boats. Business growth led him to move to his present location at 765-B County Line Road, Ontario. Over the years, Palis has added to employment opportunities in our area, with up to four staff members, working on a variety of unique service projects.

Palis ‘additional commitments to the greater Webster area include Boy Scouts, Irondequoit Fish & Game Club and the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

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. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.

The next breakfast meeting is this Friday Aug. 23, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders before breakfast, enjoy an informative program and then take part in the “pass-the-mic” time, when everyone has an opportunity to be visible.

Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.

Pictured above: Webster Chamber of Commerce Chair Chamber Chair Carolyn Montanaro, presents the plaque to Steve Palis.

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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 8/12/2024)

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Photos from the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival

11 Aug

I don’t know what it was about this year’s Webster Jazz Festival, but on Saturday night there was a LOT more dancing in the street than I remember from any years past.

Perhaps it was the gorgeous weather, and it certainly had a lot to do with the great music coming from the stage. But I also think that the Jazz Festival has really found its groove (pun intended) and has become known as one of our village’s best family events of the summer.

Once again this year the event drew huge crowds, which seemed to grow bigger every minute as the evening progressed, this despite the Heroes and Hidden Heroes music festival taking place just down Main Street at Fireman’s Field. And those who did stay until after dark to watch Prime Time Funk close the show were treated to a charming display of twinkly lights strung along and across Main Street and through the trees.

Congratulations to the Webster BID for putting on another great event (and especially to Tom Spoonhower), to all the restaurants who set up shop to provide dinner, and to all of the performers for putting on an outstanding show.

Friday night’s Jazz in the Pubs was well attended, too, by the way. Even though the threatening forecast earlier in the day caused the street festival to be canceled, the pubs were packed as people hopscotched around the village to sample five different bands.

Click here to see my gallery of … well, only about 80 photos this time, all from Saturday night. There’s a lot of dancing.

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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 8/11/2024)

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The Town of Webster has a new emailed newsletter

10 Aug

Last week I posted a blog about the Village of Webster’s new online newsletter. (If you haven’t seen it yet, you really have to check it out.) It’s going to be a valuable resource for all of us who love the village, its people and events.

Just after the Village of Webster introduced its newsletter, the Town of Webster followed suit with a digital newsletter of its own.

The Town of Webster used to have a beautiful weekly newsletter. When it was discontinued late last year, it left a gaping hole in the “what’s-happening-in-the-community” information stream that many of us had come to appreciate. So I was excited to see that the Town is finally trying to fill that hole.

Anyone familiar with that weekly Town newsletter will immediately notice that the new newsletter’s layout is quite a bit different, and it’s not as comprehensive. But it does touch on several topics, including news about Town facilities, Town meetings, road closures and community events.

Specifically, the first newsletter, sent out Aug. 1, included

  • a piece about sewer upgrades
  • 2025 budget workshop information
  • details about closure of Plank Rd.
  • a reminder about the Webster Community Night at the Red Wings game
  • a rabies vaccination clinic
  • a “good news” story about a woman celebrating her 100th birthday
  • the town meeting schedule

In Supervisor Flaherty’s July 24 editorial in the Webster Herald, he wrote that

Our goal is to integrate an interactive aid to promote effective communication of Town events, news and good news into how the Town communicates with its citizens … The plan is to have this newsletter go out every first day of the month.

I think the effort is a good start, but I’d love to see a newsletter sent out more frequently than once a month. And as it matures, hopefully it will be expanded to include lots more information about people and events happening in our town.

Click here to sign up to receive the newsletter. (I can’t seem to find a link to the actual newsletter on the Town web page; if anyone sees such a link, please let me know.)

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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 8/10/2024)

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