There was a local holiday — of sorts — celebrated last Thursday Aug. 1. It was Helen Miller Day, and even though it’s an annual event, you’re forgiven if it passed you by unnoticed. I wouldn’t have even known about it myself had I not happened upon the celebration that evening at Coach Sports Bar in the village.
There, gathered mostly in a far corner of the Coach patio, was a boisterous crowd of 30, all friends or family members of the late Helen Miller, who passed away in 2012. They come together every year on the first day of August to laugh, share stories, raise a pint and remember a lady who was a true friend to Webster.
Helen Miller was a long-time Webster resident and very involved in her community. Among other organizations, she belonged to the Iroquois Club, Webster Democratic Party, the Women’s Club of Webster, the Webster Softball League and two golf leagues.
But Helen was also an artist, perhaps best known for works of art which still grace our daily lives here in Webster, including the mural and stained glass windows in the Community Meeting Hall, and more stained glass at the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and Webster Arboretum.
Helen loved Webster so much and was such an important part of our community that in 2009, then-Mayor Jake Swingly proclaimed August 1 to be Helen Miller Day in the Village of Webster. And so it is that every year since 2012, when Helen passed away, her friends and family come together every August 1 to celebrate Helen Miller Day.
Her daughter Diane said the annual event is a celebration “of Mom’s love of people and life.” After all, according to her obituary,
Helen looked for any excuse to get everyone together to have a party. Thank you for teaching us to love with all our hearts, to laugh often to turn the negative to a positive, to enjoy every minute and share it all with family and friends. … Unforgettable is her positive attitude and ability to “Love You More.”
Helen Miller clearly had a kind spirit and a zest for life, setting an example for us all. And you know that if she’s looking down on these annual festivities, she’s smiling and laughing along with everyone else, and her heart is full.
And rest assured, on August 1, 2025, you’ll find me at the Coach, raising a glass to Helen Miller.
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last month, you already know about the Webster Jazz Festival coming up this Friday and Saturday.
The fun begins Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with “Jazz in the Pubs,” featuring five different bands playing in five different pubs, at staggered times so music lovers can travel from one to another to enjoy a wide variety of fine jazz. (Keep reading for the schedule.) And P.S. the Jazz in the Pubs street event has been cancelled due to the rain.
Then, Saturday night is the big-time party beginning at 4 p.m. with an outstanding lineup of musical entertainers performing on the West Main Street stage. Bring your folding chairs and coolers, and just set up camp for the evening along with thousands of your friends and neighbors.
Here are the schedules:
Friday Aug. 9
6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese and Peter Chwazik at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. Calabrese is a pianist, educator and music producer and Rochester-based Chwazik is a bassist and guitarist.
6:45 p.m.: Sarah De Vallière at JoJo’s Webster, 42 E. Main St.An award-winning composer, classically-trained pianist and outstanding singer-songwriter, performing “cinematic folk rock with nuances of jazz and pop.”
7:00 p.m.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at ROC Style, 5 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
7:15 p.m. Joe Chiappone & Vince Ercolamentoat Ploty’s Tavern, 27 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
8:15 p.m.:Bill Tiberio Band at the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main St., original contemporary jazz in a multitude of styles.
Saturday Aug. 10
4:00 p.m.: CMD, re-imagining old rock and pop hits on piano, bass and drums
6:45 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
8:30 p.m.:Prime Time Funk, 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians who write, arrange, and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz and R&B
By the way, there’s no admission charge for any of this.
To find out more about the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.
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Just in time for this weekend’s Jazz Festival, the Village of Webster is looking beautiful.
Up and down Main Street, brightly colored annuals are bursting from flower beds and overflowing the luxuriant baskets hanging from the light poles. Things look especially attractive in front of Village Hall, as well they should, since it’s going to be pretty much front-and-center during this weekend’s festival.
Together with the always impressive planters which dot the sidewalks and the twinkly lights strung through the trees, it’s a charming look for our little village, giving it a very welcoming, small-town feel.
Thank you to anybody and everybody who had a hand in planning, planting and maintaining these summertime gardens.
Here’s a selection of photos in case you haven’t been in the village recently:
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My Roommates Closet, the cute little clothing store on East Main St. in the village, has closed up shop and moved out of town.
I first wrote about My Roommates Closet about two years ago when owner Nicole Iorio opened her boutique at 19 East Main St., next door to the Village Quilt Shoppe. It was Nicole’s first experience with opening a brick-and-mortar storefront, after finding success with her online clothing business.
I thought she was a good fit for the village. Right out of the gate Nicole was warmly welcomed into the local business community, and for a while she was quite successful, relying on a steady stream of regular customers. More recently, however, difficult business decisions needed to be made and Nicole closed her shop.
She wrote,
I enjoyed being in the village because everyone was very welcoming when I first moved in and were super supportive. I didn’t encounter any rude customers, which was amazing. I wish more people would have taken advantage of the village and walked around there more since the foot traffic wasn’t ideal for a boutique like mine. However, it is a great area and has so much potential!
Nicole has landed on her feet, however, and has moved into REVIVE, at 15 Fairfax Rd. in Rochester, which she describes as “a salon with a bunch of different people who do hair, brows and more.” She officially opened Tuesday Aug. 6. Here are a few photos of the new space:
ScreenshotScreenshotScreenshot
It’s sad to see yet another small business leave Main Street, adding yet another empty storefront to an already long list of empty storefronts. But this is a good move for Nicole and I know we wish her all the best. If you have a chance, stop down to her new shop and say hi.
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I just got my hands on the Webster Recreation Center’s fall program guide and was instantly reminded about all the neat stuff they schedule for late summer into the winter months.
I’m not just talking about all of the great recreation programs and fitness classes and stuff like that which we all (who are lucky enough to be members) already know about. It’s all the really fun and entertaining community-wide special events that I get excited about.
Like the annual Mud Run, which the program guide tells me is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a really wet, really muddy, incredibly fun family obstacle course run which the Rec Center sets up along the Chiyoda Trail around the back of the building. It’s an easy 1/2-mile long trail, and the whole event is non-competitive and un-timed, so it’s perfect for kids even as young as 5.
Registration is only $5, and sign up is going on now. Register for program #301202 and choose a time slot between 10 a.m. and noon.
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Then there’s the Pumpkins on Parade, which is one of my favorite events of the entire year.
This is a super fun family event where participants stroll along the mile-long Chiyoda Trail, 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 and a bonfire, a family photo area, and for the kids, a hay maze and roller slide. And it’s ALL FREE.
This year’s parade will be on Saturday Oct. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. No registration is necessary for this, so just make sure to put it on your calendar now. Plus, start thinking about how you might want to design your own Jack-o-lanterns for the event, because the Rec Center always needs a LOT of pumpkins!
And here’s something else you want to get on your calendar now: Santa will be visiting the Rec Center on Saturday Dec. 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Kids can visit with Santa, have their photo taken with Santa, and enjoy cookies and story time. Kids can also bring their letters to Santa, drop them in his personal mailbox, and can pick up his response on Friday Dec. 20.
The Afternoon with Santa event is free and no registration is required.
Stay tuned for more details about each of these events as they draw nearer.
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My own 50th high school class reunion is coming up in a few years, so this email that came my way recently piqued my interest.
The Webster Thomas/Schroeder class of 1975 will be holding their 50th class reunion on July 26, 2025. Plans are already in motion, but right now organizers are really focused on trying to contact as many former classmates as they can. They’re looking for emails for all of the students from the Class of ’75 from Webster Thomas and Schroeder, so they can keep everyone informed about the latest updates.
R Community Bikes will be holding a bike donation event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday Aug. 10 at the Webster-Fairport Elks Lodge, 1066 Jackson Rd.
This incredible organization, based on Hudson Ave. in the City of Rochester, accepts any and all types of bikes, both children’s and adult, regardless of condition. They also gladly accept bike parts, tools and other cycling items such as bells, locks, lights, baskets, bags, trailers, and car racks (but not helmets or cycling shoes). Bikes with special value will be evaluated and possibly sold, with the proceeds going directly back into the program to purchase parts, supplies and tools. Receipts are available upon request.
R Community Bikes is a grassroots organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, that collects and repairs used bicycles for distribution, free of charge, to the Rochester, NY area’s children and adults. They give away over 2,000 bicycles every year and do over 3,000 repairs for their clients, many of whom depend on bicycles as their main source of transportation. In addition, they provide bicycles or repair services to dozens of community organizations, including church groups, youth centers, and neighborhood associations.
Rec Center at the Red Wings
If you haven’t gotten your fill of Rochester Red Wings games this season, here’s a good opportunity to do so, at a great price.
On 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 Tim Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem.
The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; you can use the QR code on the flyer, or click here.
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! For as long as I have been attending them, they’ve been held at the Webster Chamber of Commerce. But beginning this month, the meetings will be held at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Chamber staff and members at the door. Beverages will be ready to enjoy during networking time. At 7:30 a.m., the breakfast buffet is served, which you’ll enjoy while getting to know other Chamber visitors and members seated at your table. After breakfast, every attendee will get a chance to introduce themselves at pass-the-mic time, and door prizes will also be awarded. Donate a door prize and you’ll get even more recognition for your business or organization.
These events are open to the public as well as Chamber members. Cost is $19 and reservations are required. Click here to do so.
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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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As we walk or drive through the Village of Webster, we often — well, usually — fail to notice and appreciate the history that surrounds us.
The Village of Webster’s Historic Preservation Commission has made it their goal to shine a spotlight on some of these historical treasures. One way they’re doing that is with their recognition of Historic Sites of the Month, honoring a property’s historical significance and its enduring role in our community’s evolution. In July, that distinction was awarded to The Auction House at 150 Orchard St.
Early Beginnings: From Lumberyard to Taylor Rental Center
The history of The Auction House begins over a century ago when it first operated as a lumberyard. This early incarnation laid the foundation for its later transformations, serving the local community’s needs through different eras.
In the late 1960s, Gabler’s Decorating Center operated at 150 Orchard St., becoming a popular destination for home goods. Originally selling fabric for drapes, wallpaper, and similar products, they opened a fashion department in 1970, selling dress patterns and fashion fabrics.
In November 1971, Ralph Henty opened a Taylor Rental Center at this location. Recognizing the growing trend of renting rather than owning, Henty’s center offered over 12,000 items for rent, ranging from champagne fountains to road rollers, tools, exercise equipment, and more. This became part of a network of more than 175 Taylor Rental Centers nationwide, reflecting the increasing mobility and practical needs of the modern consumer.
The New Look and Webster Tool & Die, Inc. also operated at 150 Orchard St. during the 1970s at different points during the decade.
1980s-1990s: A Hub of Business and Community Activities
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, 150 Orchard Street continued to serve as a central hub for various community and business activities. The Taylor Rental Center remained a fixture, adapting to the times by expanding its inventory and services. In 1993, Dave Bardusch of C.E. Bardusch and Son, Inc., took ownership of the center. Bardusch brought fresh energy and competitive pricing to the business, ensuring its continued relevance and success.
The property also played host to several community events and smaller businesses. It was a place where local residents could rent everything from camping gear to party supplies, making it an essential part of daily life in Webster.
2000s: The Birth of Ann & Co. Auction Gallery
On July 7, 2000, Ann Marszalek opened Ann & Co. Auction Gallery at 150 Orchard Street. This 8,000-square foot space, once a lumberyard, was transformed into a vibrant auction gallery. Marszalek, an accredited appraiser and licensed auctioneer, brought her expertise and passion for antiques and collectibles to the gallery. The venue featured regular auctions, a 1950s style café, parking for 200 cars, and storage facilities, attracting a diverse clientele and becoming a beloved local institution.
Marszalek’s involvement in high-profile events like the “Antiques Road Show” in Rochester underscored the gallery’s reputation and her professional acumen. The gallery became a place where history and commerce intertwined, offering a unique service to the community.
Present and Future: A Dynamic Business Hub
Today, The Auction House continues to be a dynamic business hub, housing a variety of enterprises. The historic building is owned by Ryan Ricketts and Kim Cimino, operators of A Cleaner Image, which offers a wide-range of residential and commercial cleaning services. Sorella Salon Suites, owned by Dana and Nikki Sorella also operates on the first floor. The historical significance of the space and adaptive reuse have made it a model of preservation and innovation. Future plans include the development of lofts and additional office space, ensuring that the property will continue to evolve and serve the community in new and exciting ways.
A Unique Story of Community and Commerce
The story of The Auction House at 150 Orchard Street is a testament to Webster’s resilience and adaptability. From its early days as a lumberyard to its current status as a thriving business hub, the property has continually evolved to meet the community’s needs. Each transformation has added a new layer to its rich history, making it an important landmark in Webster.
Click here to find out more about the Village of Webster Historic Preservation Commission.
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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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At long last, the Village of Webster has begun to publish a beautiful new online newsletter.
I say “at long last” because I’ve been waiting for this day ever since Karen Buck joined the Village of Webster administration team last November as Deputy Clerk. She had previously worked at the Town of Webster, where one of her responsibilities was to create a weekly newsletter.
Even I (whom everyone thinks is on top or EVERYTHING all the time) was able to pull a lot of great news and event items from that newsletter. So when Karen started working at the Village offices, I started looking forward to having her use her magic to do a similar publication for the Village.
And now we have it. The first Village of Webster newsletter, called View From Main Street, was published earlier this week. As expected, it’s packed with an incredible amount of useful information, including:
tips about the Village’s brush pick-up services
Village department updates
highlights from the ongoing Reimagine Webster project
the latest news from the Historic Preservation Commission
the Webster Jazz Festival schedule
passport processing tips
an upcoming pharmaceutical collection event
You can check out the whole newsletter here and check back at the Village of Webster website every two weeks for the latest edition.
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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).
Every summer for the last 11 years, the Webster Public Library (WPL) has given young readers at Phillips Village the opportunity to check out library books, just steps from their front doors, without even having a library card.
Called the “BookBox” program, it’s kind of like a bookmobile, without the “mobile.” Every Thursday during the summer months, WPL staff members and volunteers stuff several milk crates with books for all ages, and take them on the road to children who might not otherwise have easy access to a library.
The Phillips Village BookBox program has been so successful that this summer the library has expanded it to a second location, Country Manor Apartments on Phillips Rd.
Webster Public Library Outreach Coordinator Jason Poole explains the reasoning behind the BookBoxes;
We started BookBox in 2014 when we discovered during a school visit that the children who lived in Phillips Village had limited access to the library’s resources because of the distance the apartment complex is from the library and the lack of safe options to get themselves there. Many do not speak English as a first language. Many come from families with two working parents who are not able to transport them. So instead of them coming to us, we decided to go to them.
Now that commitment, which began years ago, has been extended to the children of Country Manor.
Every Wednesday afternoon at Country Manor and Thursday afternoon at Phillips Village (in good weather), Jason and his helpers place signs throughout the apartment complexes, set up a tent and and a table, and spread the books out for ease of choice. Each book has a due-date card tucked inside for the child to sign. They can return the book the following week or hold it for longer; there’s no cost to the children, no due dates or overdue fees, and it’s all done without needing a library card.
Jason chooses most of the books — all age-appropriate and brand-new or almost brand-new — from community donations collected by the Friends of the Public Library, who also provide volunteers for the weekly programs.
The program’s not just about the books, though. It’s also a chance for kids to come outside, play with their friends and have a healthy snack, courtesy gift cards donated by Wegmans.
“We give out apples and juice boxes … and kids often stay and play kickball or Frisbee or jump rope or hula hoop,” Jason said. “We bring a bag full of balls and games … and for the last three years, Webster Parks and Recreation has sent someone to help out with that part of it.”
Thanks in part to bad weather, the Country Manor program has only been able to set up a few times this summer, so many families there have yet to discover it. But it’s an important community to connect with, since Country Manor has a significant Ukrainian refugee population.
“I think they’re interested,” Jason said, “but the language barrier presents a challenge. It’s too early to tell, really, but I think once they get used to us they will look forward to it.”
The BookBox program is truly a community effort. Webster community members donate books to the Friends, who then share them with Jason; the management at Phillips Village and Country Manor allow the library to set up shop; Wegmans donates gift cards; Webster Parks and Rec provides fitness instructors to play with kids; Webster Community Chest purchased the Phillips Village signs; and the United Church of Christ’s Caring Community Concerts series sponsors the Phillips Village BookBox.
And a huge thank you to the Webster Rotary Club for sponsoring the new Country Manor BookBox.
So even though the Webster Public Library created this amazing program, the entire Webster community is supporting it and helping it grow.
On behalf of the kids, thank you.
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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).
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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