A few weeks ago I posted a blog about a group of Rochester-area students and adults who traveled to El Salvador on a service trip for Young Life. Forty-one high school students and adults — from Young Life, Browncroft Community Church and Grace Road Church — participated in the nine-day trip, which took them to a rural part of the country called Baja Lempa in the village of Taura.
The group has returned safely, and I recently received a very nice email from Dustin Bailey, one of the organizers, reporting on what an incredible experience it was. Not only did the team accomplish an amazing number of building and painting projects, they grew much closer as a faith community.
And when I say an amazing number of projects, I mean AMAZING. Here are some highlights, pulled from Dustin’s email:
This week we got to see the completed house from last year that many students worked on and begin the work of building a house for another family to be completed this summer. We did a lot of digging and moving sand.
We spent a lot of time working on the greenhouse – inside and out! We came alongside the young people who work in the greenhouse to turn over the soil, replace irrigation, treat the soil, replace growing posts, clean the mesh walls, pick weeds, and prepare for the next planting later this month.
We also cut back a forest in order to prepare the outside of the greenhouse for the planting of papaya trees. This could be a huge benefit for the community as a papaya tree can produce up to 150 papaya per year and they can sell them for $1 – $1.50 each.
The mural on the wall by the playground was in need of updating. The students worked with the niños of the village to pick out their favorite characters to bring them joy as they play on the playground. Our team designed the mural and added much color to the playground area.
A special project we were able to help with was a fence project that Pastor Santos began years ago. Enclosing the church property and protecting it from dogs, chickens, cows and other animals has always been a dream of the community. A member of our team is a welder in Rochester and lent his skills to Santos’ son, Daniel, to help finish his father’s project.
But as important as all those projects were, Dustin stressed, were the connections they made with the people of Taura.
The relationship is always the project and our team was awesome meeting the people of Taura, playing with the niños, and serving the community. We even mourned together with the community as we watched a video put together by the family of Pastor Santos who passed away in July 2024. We were honored to be a part of the 16-year friendship between Young Life and the people of Taura.
Welcome back, team. Thank you for making this world a better place. (And thanks, Dustin, for the great report and photos!)
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Chances are, it’s been a long time since you’ve walked the halls of an elementary or secondary school. Unless you happen to have children or grandchildren who attend school here in Webster, you may be kind of out of touch with what the buildings look like and what goes on inside.
A new video series recently introduced by the Webster Central School District (WCSD) is hoping to change that. It’s called “A Day in the Life of …” and it’s designed to offer an inside look at what makes our Webster schools special.
The district launched the series a few weeks ago, and describes its first installment as “an all-access pass to Webster Thomas High School.” The almost 5-minute video features Thomas principal principal Glenn Widor, following him through his day as he welcomes students in the morning, checks in on classes and lunches, and interacts with staff and students. We learn a bit about the way he approaches his job as principal, and his thoughts about the preschool classes which are held in the high school building.
The new Day in the Life series is part of the school district’s ongoing One Webster Minute video series, which highlights special events and people in our Webster school community. Past One Webster Minute videos have included a look at the 2024 Spry Middle School Career Day, a guest artist who created a mural at Plank South Elementary, and an Unsung Heroes segment about our amazing bus drivers.
Click here to visit the WCSD YouTube page to see these and other videos, and stay tuned for more Day in the Life segments in the future featuring various roles in the district.
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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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A Thomas vs. Schroeder high school basketball game is always highly competitive and definitely worth watching. But the one happening on Wednesday March 12 should be … well, interesting, and dare I say, a little short on actual basketball talent.
It’s a Charity Basketball Game, scheduled for Wednesday night March 12 at Webster Thomas High School.
The family-friendly event will pit Thomas/OWL staff and faculty against Schroeder/GOAL staff and faculty in a friendly winner-take-all-bragging-rights game. Usually the game includes some super-fun halftime activities featuring competitions between Thomas/OWL students and Schroeder/GOAL students. Concessions will be available.
Suggestion donation for admission is just $5, and this year’s beneficiary is the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN), a community coalition which promotes healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in our Webster schools and greater community. Additional donations would also be greatly appreciated.
The game begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12 in the Webster Thomas High School gymnasium, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Enter on the east side of the building, near the field house.
The schools’ PTSAs host this game every year. I haven’t been to one in a long time, but I do remember actually playing in one when I was working at Webster Thomas many years ago. What I remember most about it, actually (aside from how poorly I played) were the fun costumes and wigs that many of the teachers wore, and how much laughing there was. It was an enjoyable experience both on the court, and for everyone in the stands as well.
So make sure to mark your calendars for this fun night, and come out and support the Webster Health and Education Network in their effort to keep our kids safe and healthy.
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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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Looking ahead to events and warmer weather next month — and this coming summer — in today’s mailbag!
Win a pair of Beats headphones
In an effort to reach out to a younger audience and impress upon them the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) has instituted aBeats headphone giveawayvia Instagram.
It’s easy to enter; just visit @WHENdfcc on Instagram, and post a picture of you doing something happy and healthy, like going for a walk, playing a sport, etc. Comment and tag two friends, follow WHEN on Instagram and share the WHEN post to your story. See more about this great giveaway on Instgram or click here.
Wednesday March 3 is the last day to enter.
Looking forward to summer!
Enough with this snow. Here’s something to help you look past all that.
Plus, the Webster Jazz Festival returns Aug. 15 and 16.
The gazebo concerts begin at 7 p.m. at Veterans Park on North Ave. and admission is free. Bring the whole family, some folding chairs and a blanket, and a cooler if you’d like, then enjoy some beautiful music. Check out the BID website to stay up to date on details for these and all this summer’s village events.
News from the Arboretum
The Webster Arboretum has a beautiful new website which is very much worth a few minutes to check out. The new design is very easy to navigate, highlighting the trails, gardens and wildlife which abound in this beautiful natural area.
Scroll down a bit to read about this year’s slate of educational programs, a different one every month through November, ranging from hummingbirds to lilacs, bonsai trees to hydrangeas.
I’ll let you know more about each of these as they get closer, but here’s what’s happening in March:
Invasive Insects, Thursday March 20, 7 to 8 p.m.: Presented by Camille Caceci, the Invasive Species Project Coordinator with Finger Lakes PRISM. Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to our environment, and as scientific professionals, hobbyists, or passersby, we encounter them almost every day. But what makes a species invasive? How many are there? Learn more about them at this fascinating presentation.
The presentation will take place at the Curry Building at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. Prior registration is requested for all these programs. They’re all free and will be held rain or shine. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information and to register.
And ALSO, mark your calendars now for the Arboretum’s annual Spring Plant Sale, Saturday May 10 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Women’s Club March luncheon will feature Webster history
Sharon Pratt from the Webster Museum will be the guest speaker at the next Women’s Club of Webster luncheon, Thursday March 20 at the Nutcracker Family Restaurant, 2159 Empire Blvd., Webster. Sharon will speak about what life was like for women in Webster’s early days.
The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Sharon’s presentation. Enjoy a buffet featuring roast beef, roasted chicken, rice pilaf, pasta primavera, salad, hot mixed vegetables, hot and cold beverages and warm camaraderie.
Cost of the luncheon is $25. Send check made out to WCW by March 13 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. New members are always welcome.
WCSD prekindergarten lottery is open
Registration for Webster Central School District’s 2024-25 prekindergarten lottery is now available online. Registrations will be accepted through Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. Children who are 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025 but who are not eligible for kindergarten, are eligible for prekindergarten enrollment for the upcoming school year.
Webster CSD PreK is a play-based program that engages students in social and emotional skills with a heavy emphasis on communication. The district offers both full-day and half-day options for families. Locations are determined by the lottery and according to the child’s home catchment for kindergarten.
For more information and to complete registration, please visit Webster CSD’s prekindergarten web page atwww.websterschools.org/prek.
Vintage Book Sale, Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th and early 21st centuries. Prices begin at $8.
The free community exchange in March is GAMES. Bring in a game that you don’t use anymore, and pick up a new one!
The Donation Station in March will benefit the Webster Public Library’s very own Free Food Pantry, located on the sidewalk right by the front door. Bring in non-perishable food items to help keep the pantry stocked.
The Seed Library will be open for the season on Monday March 3
For adults:
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Saturday March 1, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the Emerald Isle with music from the band Merriwick, Irish tea and beautiful pictures of Ireland! Registration is required.
Growing Orchids in Rochester, Saturday March 8, 1 to 3 p.m.
Make It Monday: Glass Bead Suncatchers, Monday March 10, 6 to 7 p.m. Grades 4 and up are welcome. Registration is requested.
Teen Library Club, Wednesday March 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hang out with your friends and get more involved in the library and the community. For grades 6 to 12. Registration is requested.
For kids and families:
Flute Storytime, Saturday March 15, 2 to 2:30 p.m. Join flutist Jaclyn Breeze for a 30-minute program featuring two picture books and flute pieces. No registration required.
Spring Equinox Drop-In Crafts in the storytime room. Friday March 21 and Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome and registration is not required.
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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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Hot on the heels of the recent announcement that registrations are being taken for this year’s Community Arts Day, I also got an email from the organizers of the Webster Garlic Fest that plans are ramping up for that tasty festival, too.
This year’s Webster Garlic Fest is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
This festival keeps getting bigger and better every year, and organizers continue to open up more and more spots for vendors. This year, 160 spots are available for vendors to set up inside the Rec Center or along the pathway outside. Applications are now being accepted for Garlic Fest vendors, and if you’re at all interested, I suggest you apply really soon, because spots fill up quickly for this very popular festival. Click here to apply.
If you’re not familiar with the Garlic Fest, it’s a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic. The Rec Center gymnasium and grounds outside are packed with crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks and, lots and lots of garlic growers. Many of them provide tastings and samples. And even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there’s lots of other neat things there. In past years there have been baby goats (in pajamas), alpacas, a huge 70-year old tortoise, Mr. Wally the Balloon Man, a comedian and entertainers.
This year’s schedule of vendors and entertainment won’t be finalized for a while, so stay tuned. In the meantime, bookmark the Webster Garlic Fest website to stay up on the latest.
All proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest benefit:
Wreaths Across America: Honoring and remembering veterans resting in local cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day, this year happening on December 13, 2025
Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (Military Families): Building Care Packages for locally deployed service members and helping military families in our area.
Gold Star Mothers Rochester (mothers who have lost a child, spouse, sibling or parent in active duty): Helping community veterans-in-need with meals, resources, and year-round support.
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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).
Monroe County has scheduled its 15th annual Pick Up the Parks initiative on April 12, and once again, Webster Park has been included in the effort.
This annual effort is designed to help clean up our county’s parks from the winter accumulation of trash and debris, help reduce litter entering our local waterways, and help get the parks looking great for spring and summer.
Volunteers will be asked to do specific jobs, including:
Picking up trash/litter and/or loading up trucks to take trash off-site
Raking/picking up debris (leaves, sticks, and rocks)
Additional duties such as sweeping shelter & lodge areas and hard surfaces, and mulching & weeding may be available at some locations
The event takes place on Saturday April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to get signed in. At 9 a.m. the park supervisor will begin distributing jobs and locations within the park. The event will be held rain or shine.
In order to register yourself or a group, return this form by e-mail to MCParks@monroecounty.gov. Form must be submitted prior to March 28th 2025 to be consider a part of this year’s clean up
The County of Monroe maintains 22 parks throughout the county, and hope each year to field at least one clean-up group in each.
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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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Chris and Mark McAllister not only did a terrific job designing and creating the sign, but also donated their talent, time, and of course the sign itself, to the Community Chest.
The Webster Community Chest is grateful to the McAllisters for their generous donation, and the entire Webster community thanks them for being an outstanding example of community support.
They are truly neighbors helping 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).
I know that spring is just around the corner when I start receiving emails from the organizers of Community Arts Day (CAD). And since this year it seems like spring will NEVER arrive, it’s rather appropriate that CAD has been scheduled later than usual.
This annual event, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.
Normally, Community Arts Day is held in mid-April, but this year (thanks to some scheduling issues) it’s been moved back to Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So it’s a little later this year than usual, but the time is NOW to start planning for it.
Registrations are now being taken for community groups, vendors and performers who’d like to participate in this year’s Community Arts Day. There are also several opportunities to become event sponsors or make an in-kind donation. Click here to find out more and to register your group.
Organizers are also looking for interested community members to join the planning committee and help make this event a success. Email CAD@websterptsa.org to find out more about volunteer opportunities,
Community Arts Day is a Webster PTSA sponsored event, created in 1976 as a joint venture with each of Webster’s schools to raise money to support cultural arts activities in our 11 buildings. CAD showcases our children’s artistic, vocal, musical, and theatrical talents. It also involves the whole community in a day to celebrate cultural arts, bringing in 2000+ people to enjoy activities from art displays, musical performances, craft demonstrations, community exhibits, craft vendors, sweet treats, a carnival space, and more. So make sure to put Saturday, May 10 on your calendar now for this year’s Community Arts Day.
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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).
Here’s some good news for any of you who were disappointed to discover that — thanks to the really stinky weather last Sunday — the Webster Museum decided to postpone their very popular Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow. You’ll be happy to hear that it has been rescheduled for this coming Sunday Feb. 23.
If you’re curious about the value of a favorite piece, you’re invited to bring it in and Frank and Greg Palma will take a look at it, and share their expertise and insight into the history and value of the item.
The program begins at 2 p.m. at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the village. There’s no admissioncharge, and free refreshments will be served.
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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).
If you love our Webster trails, then I hope you’ve already become a member of the Friends of Webster Trails, the terrific all-volunteer organization who are committed to maintaining, and building, our great trail system. But if you REALLY love our trails and are looking for even more ways to show that love, the Friends have a great opportunity for you to consider.
The Friends of Webster Trails have put out a call for more volunteers to sign up as trail stewards. It’s really not a tough job. Trail stewards help maintain a particular trail (for example the Green Trail at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve) by hiking it regularly, reporting maintenance issues and helping resolve them. Stewards are also asked to participate in trail workdays and propose upgrade projects.
It’s a great opportunity to help support this excellent organization and show some love to your favorite trail. If you’re interested, click here to email the Trail Chair, Linda Siple, and she’ll get back in touch.
To find out more about the Friends of Webster Trails and all the great things they do for our town, visit their website 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).
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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